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Effect of bagasse fiber on the flexural properties of biodegradable composites
Author(s) -
Shibata Shinichi,
Cao Yong,
Fukumoto Isao
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.20140
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , flexural strength , bagasse , fiber , pulp and paper industry , engineering
Flexural modulus of the press‐molding composites made from bagasse fiber and biodegradable resin was investigated by experiment and numerical prediction with Cox's model that incorporates the compression ratio of the bagasse fiber in the cross section. The effect of the volume fraction of bagasse fiber and its length on the flexural modulus was examined. Up to 65% volume fraction in the experiment, the flexural modulus increased with increase of the volume fraction of the bagasse fiber. The numerical prediction was in good agreement with the experimental result. Above 65% volume fraction, however, the flexural modulus decreased in the experiment, while the prediction increased. It seemed that the biodegradable resin was insufficient to cover all the surface of bagasse fiber in the composite. Moreover, the decrease of the flexural modulus was found below 3 mm at the fiber length in the experimental and the same trend was shown in the numerical prediction. POLYM. COMPOS. 26:689–694, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers