Synthesis and Thermo-Mechanical Study of Epoxy Resin-Based Composites with Waste Fibers of Hemp as an Eco-Friendly Filler

Abstract

The synthesis, thermal, and mechanical properties of epoxy resin composites incorporating waste fibers of hemp were studied. Five different systems with increasing quantity of the eco-filler were obtained. For the synthesis of polymeric materials, the commercial epoxy resins Epidian® 5 and triethylenetetramine (TETA) were applied as crosslinking agents. The composites were obtained based on the polyaddition reaction of an amine group with an epoxide ring. ATR/FT-IR (Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared) analysis was used to confirm the chemical structure of the composites and the course of curing processes. Moreover, the influence of the eco-friendly components on the mechanical properties was determined, while thermal properties of the materials were investigated by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Dynamic mechanical studies (DMA) and Shore hardness tests of the obtained polymers were also carried out. The DSC curves and DMA analysis revealed that all materials were characterized by a similar glass transition range. Furthermore, the DMA and hardness measurements of the composites demonstrated an increasing elasticity with the increase in the amount of eco-filler present in the compositions.

Natural Fillers as Potential Modifying Agents for Epoxy Composition: A Review

“…In addition, the scanning electron microscope analysis showed shear banding phenomena between filler particles and epoxy resin, which caused increased toughness. Gargol et al [58] fabricated epoxy composites containing varying amounts of waste hemp fibers. The curing agent used was triethylenetetramine and the fiber content used was 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%.…”

Preparation, Thermal, and Thermo-Mechanical Characterization of Polymeric Blends Based on Di(meth)acrylate Monomers

“…Comparing the shape of the tan delta curves of the tested blends, it can be seen that the obtained materials were not homogeneous. The FWHM value of the tan delta peak is the parameter which allows to determine the homogeneity of the tested sample [45][46][47][48][49]. The FWHM values were much higher compared to the starting material.…”

Thermal Stability and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Benzoylation Treated Sugar Palm/Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Hybrid Composites

“…In addition, as we have proved in the research, the existence of a T g peak shows that the hybrid composite SPF/KF/PP in all composition is amorphous [47]. 6 and 165.63 °C, which might correspond to the additional increased interaction between matrix and filler and might have led to a restriction in the polymer chain of the composites [45]. A more noticeable effect on the thermal properties of the hybrid composites can be observed through the enthalpy peaks of the DSC curves.…”

“…A significant trend was shown in the results of treated kenaf and sugar palm filler with T-SP7K3, T-SP5K5, and T-SP3K7, exceeding 122.53, 127.63, 125.43 °C, respectively, for their transition glass temperature (T g ). T-SP5K5 achieved the highest values of T g and T m at 127.6 and 165.63 °C, which might correspond to the additional increased interaction between matrix and filler and might have led to a restriction in the polymer chain of the composites [ 45 ]. A more noticeable effect on the thermal properties of the hybrid composites can be observed through the enthalpy peaks of the DSC curves.…”