Nanoscale characterization of interphase properties in maleated polypropylene‐treated natural fiber‐reinforced polymer composites

Abstract

Contact resonance force microscopy has been used to evaluate the effect of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) concentration on interphase thickness as well as the spatial distribution of mechanical properties within the interphase of cellulose fiber‐reinforced polypropylene composites. The average interphase thickness values ranged from 25 nm to 104 nm for different concentrations of MAPP. The interphase region showed a gradient in the elastic modulus, with a gradual decrease in modulus from fiber to matrix. The interphase region in the specimen containing 0% MAPP showed a narrow interphase with steep gradient in modulus from fiber to matrix, whereas the use of MAPP significantly increased the interphase thickness which resulted in a more gradual change in modulus from fiber to matrix. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © Society of Plastics Engineers

Multicomponent Polymer Composite/Nanocomposite Systems Using Polymer Matrices from Sustainable Renewable Sources

“…Significant interest has derived from the outdoor performance of these composites, in particular their resistance to photo-oxidation processes. The wood particles and cellulose fibers which have high strength and modulus-with good adhesion and uniform dispersion-can impart better mechanical properties to the polymer matrix in order to obtain a composite with better properties than those of the unfilled polymer matrix (Csizmadia et al 2013;Nair et al 2013).…”

Grid nano-indentation as full-field measurements

“…Atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM) [8] and in particular contact-resonance 2 atomic force microscopy (CR-AFM) [9] are today rather popular. CR-AFM inherits a very good spatial resolution from the very sharp AFM tip, so that it is a very good choice for who is interested in characterizing interfacial mechanical properties [10,11]. The quantitative analysis of the measured contact stiffness may however turn to be difficult because of the not so well defined contact geometry (because of the initial tip geometry and because wear usually makes this geometry evolve during the scan) [12].…”

Enhanced surface free energy of UHMWPE fibers and its interfacial adhesion behavior to PI resins

“…High specific stiffness and strength‐to‐weight ratios, corrosion resistance, and reduced susceptibility to fatigue confirm these materials as likely candidates to continue to strongly impact these fields. For example, the newest Boeing passenger aircraft is composed of 50% composites by weight and represents a significant leap forward in the commercial use of polymer‐matrix composites …”