Abstract:This work examines the morphology, mechanical and thermal properties of biocomposites based on epoxy resin-EP and fique (Furcraea andina), a native crop of South America. The EP-fique biocomposites were prepared using fique powder-FP an industrial waste generated during fique processing, nonwoven fique fiber mats-NWF and unidirectional fique fiber mats-UF oriented at 0° and 90°. The addition of fique into EP matrix restricts EP macromolecule chains movement and enhance the thermal stability of EP. SEM images s… Show more
“…Pavia and Walker 39 also utilized the similar binder to fiber, but their composites have density ranges from 508 to 627 kg/m 3 . The results are line with evidence in the existing literature 40 . Using the same binder-to-fibers ratio as in the previous case, Walker and Pavia 39 obtained composites with a higher density have a higher thermal conductivity ranging from 0.107 to 0.128 W/(m K)).…”
This paper investigates the hemp limecrete mechanical and microstructural performance of a new sustainable and environmental friendly building material. Several studies have investigated the hemp limecrete focusing on the non-structural applications. The newly developed hemp limecrete consists of high mechanical and microstructural properties. The specimens were prepared with varying lengths and proportions of hemp fibers with lime and tested for compressive strength, flexural strength, thermal conductivity and microstructural analysis like SEM and EDS. The study found that the optimal fiber content for making mortars was between 2 and 4%. This conclusion was reached after analyzing the influence of fiber length and ratio on the properties of the mortars. The dry unit weight decreased when the fiber content was higher than 4%. In terms of strength, the study found that the flexural strength of the hemp limecrete improved with an increase in fiber ratio, but the compressive strength decreased. However, with 2% hemp fiber, compressive strengths of 3.48 MPa and above were obtained. The study also highlighted the good thermal insulation properties and dimensional stability of hemp limecrete. These findings have important implications for the use of hemp limecrete as a sustainable building material. The results suggest that hemp limecrete has the potential to be a viable alternative to conventional concrete in specific applications, particularly in areas where environmental sustainability is a priority.
“…Pavia and Walker 39 also utilized the similar binder to fiber, but their composites have density ranges from 508 to 627 kg/m 3 . The results are line with evidence in the existing literature 40 . Using the same binder-to-fibers ratio as in the previous case, Walker and Pavia 39 obtained composites with a higher density have a higher thermal conductivity ranging from 0.107 to 0.128 W/(m K)).…”
This paper investigates the hemp limecrete mechanical and microstructural performance of a new sustainable and environmental friendly building material. Several studies have investigated the hemp limecrete focusing on the non-structural applications. The newly developed hemp limecrete consists of high mechanical and microstructural properties. The specimens were prepared with varying lengths and proportions of hemp fibers with lime and tested for compressive strength, flexural strength, thermal conductivity and microstructural analysis like SEM and EDS. The study found that the optimal fiber content for making mortars was between 2 and 4%. This conclusion was reached after analyzing the influence of fiber length and ratio on the properties of the mortars. The dry unit weight decreased when the fiber content was higher than 4%. In terms of strength, the study found that the flexural strength of the hemp limecrete improved with an increase in fiber ratio, but the compressive strength decreased. However, with 2% hemp fiber, compressive strengths of 3.48 MPa and above were obtained. The study also highlighted the good thermal insulation properties and dimensional stability of hemp limecrete. These findings have important implications for the use of hemp limecrete as a sustainable building material. The results suggest that hemp limecrete has the potential to be a viable alternative to conventional concrete in specific applications, particularly in areas where environmental sustainability is a priority.
The surface temperature of the mold is a critical processing parameter that significantly influences the quality of composites during injection molding. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of mold surface temperature on the properties of hybrid biocomposite materials prepared by incorporating polypropylene-PP with agro-industrial by-products such as rice husks-RH and fique powder-FP using co-rotating twin-screw extrusion and injection molding. While this article focuses on PP as the polymeric matrix, the methodology employed in this study can also be applied to investigate the effect of mold surface temperature on the properties of other polymers used in the production of hybrid composites via injection molding as biobased or biodegradable plastics. The mechanical characterization reveals that the utilization of higher mold temperatures and the hybridization of RH and FP result in an increase in the elastic modulus of up to 30% compared to PP. Also, thermal, viscoelastic, morphological, and HDT characterization revealed that higher surface mold temperature led to changes in PP crystallinity, and a better hybrid biocomposites performance. This study highlights the potential of mold surface temperature controlling and agro-industrial by-products hybridization for the design and production of higher quality and sustainable products using injection molding.
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