Glass/Epoxy and Hemp/Bio based epoxy composites: Manufacturing and structural performances

Abstract

Biocomposite materials are nowadays often considered as a valid substitution of fiberglass reinforced (FGR) polymers in many relevant applications, especially thanks to the lower costs and environmental impact of the natural fibers. Conversely, they remain mainly confined to nonstructural applications. In consideration of the similar specific properties of glass and hemp fibers, the aim of this work is to compare a biocomposite component, for structural application, with a FGR-epoxy one. The comparison is focused on the issues related to the intrinsic differences of constituents mechanical characteristics as well as on their different response in the manufacturing processes. Beams with the function of wing spars, for small aeronautic structure, have been chosen as representatives. After a preliminary analysis of the materials, four spars were manufactured and were subjected to static mechanical tests up to failure, then the microstructures of failure areas were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The most relevant differences resulted related to the resin retention, higher in the case of the hemp fibers, to the failure modes and to the fiber-resin interactions, on which the fibers microstructures have an important role. POLYM. COMPOS., 00:000-000,

Industrial Hemp Fibers: An Overview

“…In general, natural fibers with higher strength and Young' s modulus have a higher cellulose content, a longer cell length, and a lower microfibrillar angle, such as in the case of hemp fiber [14,20,21]. The degradation of natural fibers depends on individual chemical composition; lignin is mainly responsible for UV and fire degradation, whereas hemicelluloses are responsible for biological degradation, thermal degradation, and high moisture absorption [11,14,22]. Table 2 shows the physical and mechanical properties of natural fibers and the main type of glass fiber (E-glass).…”

“…Data from: [8,11,18,20,23]. The mechanical properties of natural fibers depend on their physical, chemical, and morphological properties as well as growing conditions, harvesting time, extraction method, treatment, and storage procedures [3,7,17,18,22,23]. Pickering et al [24] reported that the strength of hemp fibers was reduced by 15% over five days after optimum harvest time, which was found to be 114 days, with an average tensile strength of 857 MPa and a Young's modulus of 58 GPa.…”

Mechanical, wear, and drop load impact behavior of glass/Caryota urens hybridized fiber‐reinforced nanoclay/SiC toughened epoxy multihybrid composite

“…This fiber could be prepared from the fruit of the plant. Its density measures 0.84 g/cm 3 and tensile strength could be higher than other natural fibers like jute, Spinifex littoreus, and areca. Krishnan et al [12] conducted a research on automobile break pad using C. urens and SiC fillers.…”

“…There is lot of research going on in developing of biodegradable materials and agricultural biomass to reduce the severity of environmental concerns. [ 3 ] There is more number of new sustainable fibers and particles are developed from plant and animal biomasses by researchers all over the world to prepare ecofriendly composite materials, which are less harm to environment. The fiber or particle acts as strength boosting elements in composites, moreover the particle addition could develops some special properties too.…”

Effects of interphase regions and filler networks on the viscosity of PLA/PEO/carbon nanotubes biosensor

“…However, the advantages of nanocomposites depend on the dispersion of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix . Today's, the biodegradable polymers are attracting much interest, due to the increasing consumption of plastics and the limited amount of raw materials . Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) are biodegradable and biocompatible polymers displaying good characteristics for biomedical applications .…”