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Effect of fiber modification with a novel compatibilizer on the mechanical properties and water absorption of hemp‐fiber‐reinforced unsaturated polyester composites
Author(s) -
Qiu Renhui,
Ren Xiaofeng,
Li Kaichang
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.23083
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , flexural strength , absorption of water , compression molding , ultimate tensile strength , flexural modulus , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , fiber , young's modulus , chemical engineering , mold , engineering
Hemp‐fiber‐reinforced unsaturated polyester (UPE) composites were prepared by compression molding. The treatment of hemp fibers with N ‐methylol acrylamide (NMA) and sulfuric acid as a catalyst significantly increased tensile strength, flexural modulus of rupture and flexural modulus of elasticity, and water resistance of the resulting hemp–UPE composites. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed that some NMA was covalently bonded to hemp fibers. Scanning electronic microscopy graphs of the fractured hemp–UPE composites revealed that treatment of hemp fibers with NMA greatly improved the interfacial adhesion between hemp fibers and UPE. The chemical reactions between hemp fibers and NMA as well as the mechanism of improving the interfacial adhesion were proposed and discussed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers