Physical and Mechanical Characterization of Titica Vine (Heteropsis flexuosa) Incorporated Epoxy Matrix Composites

Abstract

Titica vine (Heteropsis flexuosa) is a typical plant of the Amazon region commonly used for making baskets, bags, brooms and furniture, owing to its stiff fibers. In spite of its interesting properties, there is so far no reported information regarding the use of titica vine fibers (TVFs) in engineering composite materials. In this work, the TVF and its epoxy composites were for the first time physically, thermally and mechanically characterized. Additionally, the effect of two kinds of chemical treatments, one with sodium carbonate and one with calcium lignosulfonate, as well as different volume fractions, 10, 20, 30 and 40 vol%, of TVF-reinforced composites were assessed for corresponding basic properties. The thermogravimetric results of the composites reveal enhanced thermal stability for higher TVF content. In addition, the composite incorporated with 40 vol% of TVFs treated with sodium carbonate absorbed 19% more water than the composites with untreated fibers. By contrast, the calcium lignosulfonate treatment decreased water absorption by 8%. The Charpy and Izod impact tests showed that the composites, incorporated with the highest investigated volume fraction (40 vol%) of TVF, significantly increased the absorbed energy by 18% and 28%, respectively, compared to neat epoxy. ANOVA and Tukey statistical analyses displayed no direct influence of the chemical treatments on the energy absorption of the composites for either impact tests. SEM images revealed the main fracture mechanisms responsible for the performance of TVF composites.

Reengineering Waste Boxwood Powder into Light and High-Strength Biodegradable Composites to Replace Petroleum-Based Synthetic Materials

“…Non-chemically modified biomass materials are easily degraded by natural microorganisms and converted into water, carbon dioxide, and other small molecules, which can re-enter natural cycles; thus, biomass materials have the important characteristics of being renewable and biodegradable − The direct use of plant bodies with cellular structures as materials (e.g., wood, straw, rattan, bark, etc.) or biomass substrates derived from plants (e.g., cellulose, lignin, starch, plant protein, pectin, and xylan) to prepare plant-based biomass materials has the advantages of multiple sources and low cost and has become an important research direction in the development of biomass materials. − However, in the manufacturing process of plant-based biomass composites, the toxic adhesives are usually added to improve the mechanical properties of the products, which leads to the release of free formaldehyde in the products and seriously restricts the healthy development and survival of the downstream industry. − …”

Comparison of Young’s Modulus of Continuous and Aligned Lignocellulosic Jute and Mallow Fibers Reinforced Polyester Composites Determined Both Experimentally and from Theoretical Prediction Models

“…SEM images of the jute and mallow fibers cross section are shown in Figure 3 . It can be seen that it presents structures similar to those of other NFLs [ 4 , 5 , 6 ], with a lumen in the center and a structure that has an almost circular shape.…”

“…Natural lignocellulosic fibers polymer matrix composites have gained interest over the past few decades because of their availability, biodegradability, renewability, low density, low cost, high specific moduli, and environmentally friendly appeal [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Indeed, natural fiber-composite have been studied in past years to assess the possibility of their use in for non-structural and structural engineering applications [ 4 , 5 , 6 ] and knowing the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of composites contribute to their application in several areas of engineering [ 3 ]. Factors such as exposure to radiation, temperature variation, chemical treatment, as well as fiber size and shape can influence the mechanical properties and dynamic mechanical behavior of composites reinforced with lignocellulosic fibers [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”