Mechanical properties and morphology of flax fiber reinforced melamine‐formaldehyde composites

Abstract

The mechanical performance of natural fiber reinforced polymers is often limited owing to a weak fiber‐matrix interface. In contrast, melamine‐formaldehyde (MF) resins are well known to have a strong adhesion to most cellulose containing materials. In this Paper, nonwoven flax fiber mat reinforced and particulate filled MF composites processed by compression molding are studied and compared to a similar MF composite reinforced with glass fibers. Using flax instead of glass fibers has a somewhat negative effect on tensile performance. However, the difference is relatively small, and if density and material cost are taken into account, flax fibers become competitive. Tensile damage is quantified from the stiffness reduction during cyclic straining. Compared to glass fibers, flax fibers generate a material with a considerably lower damage rate. From scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it is found that microcracking takes place mainly in the fiber cell walls and not at the fiber‐matrix interface. This suggests that the fiber‐matrix adhesion is high. The materials are also compared using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and water absorption measurements.

Using a water‐soluble melamine‐formaldehyde resin to improve the hardness of Norway spruce wood

“…Although melamine modification shows a clear potential to improve the hardness of softwood, there remains the drawback of a certain embrittlement of the material. [22][23]29 The longterm stability and resistance to cracking of melaminemodified wood under variable ambient moisture conditions needs therefore to be investigated.…”

Fabrication and characterization of S. cilliare fibre reinforced polymer composites

“…At present greater attention is being given for the production of green composites which can help in resolving future environmental problems (Gatenholm et al 1993;Gassan and Bledzki 1997;De and Adhikari 2004). In this perspective easy availability, biodegradability, eco-friendliness, light weight etc have become important considerations in the fabrication of new products (Hagstrand and Oksman 2001;Kaith et al 2005Kaith et al , 2007Singha and Shama 2007a). At present various workers are focusing their attention on use of natural fibres in place of synthetic fibres in various fields especially as reinforcing fillers (Nabi Saheb and Jog 1999;Nakagiato and Yano 2004;Singha et al 2005;Panthapulakkal et al 2006;Kaith et al 2008).…”

Composites based on sintering rice husk–waste tire rubber mixtures

“…Among this kind of materials, lignocellulosic fillers are considered as attractive candidates to be used as fillers of thermoplastic polymers [2][3][4][5][6][7]. In this way, it is possible to obtain composite materials with properties quite similar to the already known synthetic-fillerreinforced plastics [8].…”