Investigation of Hemp and Flax Fiber-Reinforced EcoPoxy Matrix Biocomposites: Morphological, Mechanical, and Hydrophilic Properties
Abstract
:1. Introduction
Research Significance
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Materials
2.2. Extraction and Chemical Treatment of Natural Fibers
2.3. Materials Weight Percentage
2.4. Fabrication of Composites
2.5. Testing Methods
2.5.1. Interlaminar Shear Properties
2.5.2. Flexural Strength Properties
2.5.3. Hydrophilic Properties
2.5.4. Moisture Absorption
2.5.5. Optical Microscopic Analysis
2.5.6. FTIR Analysis
2.5.7. SEM and EDX Analysis
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Interlaminar Shear Strength Test
3.2. Flexural Strength Test
Flexural Modulus
3.3. Contact Angle Measurement Analysis
3.4. Moisture Analysis
3.5. Fiber Morphology Studies
3.6. FTIR Analysis
3.7. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Analysis
3.8. SEM−EDX Spectrum Analysis
4. Conclusions
- Hemp and flax fiber hybrid biocomposites showed superior mechanical properties to noil hemp and noil flax fiber biocomposites. In both cases, hybrid biocomposites showed improved properties compared to pure biocomposites. From the interlaminar shear test results, hemp and flax fiber biocomposites showed a range between 5.67 and 13.10 MPa, whereas noil fibers were from 4.9 to 11.3 MPa. From the flexural test results, the 25H/15F hybrid biocomposites exhibited the maximum flexural strength and modulus as 30.04 MPa and 0.825 GPa and pure noil hemp (40NH/0NF) fiber biocomposites exhibited the minimum as 13.31 MPa and 3.95 GPa.
- All of the biocomposites had a contact angle of fewer than 90 degrees based on contact angle measurement, indicating that they have hydrophilic surface qualities. The maximum contact angle was observed for 20NH/20NF at 87.31° with the measurement error of ±1.56° and the smallest contact angle was observed for 40H/0F at 53.01° with the measurement error of ±1.94°. From the rate of absorption analysis, all the biocomposites responded to the moisture and the rate increased up to 144 h, remaining constant. In both cases, pure biocomposites absorbed more water than hybrid biocomposites.
- The fiber morphology studies of treated and untreated fibers were investigated by using the optical microscope. The results were presented in a way that contrasted the treated and untreated fibers in terms of defects. The fracture mechanisms and the porosity content in the biocomposites were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy. The spectra acquisitions for the chemical composition presented in hemp and flax fiber biocomposites were observed by using SEM−EDX spectrographs.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Properties | Hemp | Flax |
---|---|---|
Cellulose (%) | 70–74 | 64–70 |
Hemicellulose (%) | 21–24 | 16–18 |
Lignin (%) | 3.7–5.7 | 2–2.2 |
Pectin (%) | 7.3 | 2.3 |
Elongation (%) | 1.6–4.0 | 1.2–1.6 |
Moisture (%) | 6.2–12 | 8–12 |
Density (g/cm3) | 1.48 | 1.4 |
Young’s modulus (GPa) | 70 | 60–80 |
Microfibrillar angle (°) | 2–6 | 5–8 |
Tensile strength (MPa) | 550–900 | 800–1500 |
Specific strength (s/g) | 393–643 | 570–1070 |
Properties | Ecopoxy | Hardener |
---|---|---|
Color | Viscous liquid | Clear |
Viscosity at 25 °C | 800 = 1000 cP | 100–200 cP |
Specific gravity | 1.1 | 1.0 |
Bio content | 36% | - |
Mix ratio | 2 | 1 |
Gel time at 25 °C | 20–25 min | 20–25 min |
Full cure at 25 °C | 72 h | 72 h |
Composites | Hemp Fiber (%) | Flax Fiber (%) | Total Fiber Vol. (%) | Total Resin Vol. (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|
40H/0F | 40 | 0 | 40 | 60 |
25H/15F | 25 | 15 | 40 | 60 |
20H/20F | 20 | 20 | 40 | 60 |
15H/25F | 15 | 25 | 40 | 60 |
0H/40F | 0 | 40 | 40 | 60 |
Noil Hemp Fiber (%) | Noil Flax Fiber (%) | |||
40NH/0NF | 40 | 0 | 40 | 60 |
25NH/15NF | 25 | 15 | 40 | 60 |
20NH/20NF | 20 | 20 | 40 | 60 |
15NH/25NF | 15 | 25 | 40 | 60 |
0NH/40NF | 0 | 40 | 40 | 60 |
Element Type | Element No. | Atomic Weight | Hemp Biocomposite | Flax Biocomposite | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight (%) | Atomic Conc. (%) | Weight (%) | Atomic Conc. (%) | |||
Carbon (C) | 6 | 12 | 76.29 | 81.61 | 77.17 | 82.18 |
Oxygen(O) | 8 | 16 | 22.04 | 17.70 | 21.85 | 17.47 |
Chlorine (Cl) | 17 | 35.5 | 1.03 | 0.37 | 0.97 | 0.35 |
Sodium (Na) | 11 | 23 | 0.28 | 0.16 | -- | -- |
Silicon (Si) | 14 | 28 | 0.35 | 0.16 | -- | -- |
Element Type | Element No. | Atomic Weight | Hemp Biocomposite | Flax Biocomposite | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight (%) | Atomic Conc. (%) | Weight (%) | Atomic Conc. (%) | |||
Carbon (C) | 6 | 12 | 63.73 | 70.26 | 68.82 | 74.62 |
Oxygen(O) | 8 | 16 | 35.67 | 29.52 | 31.18 | 25.38 |
Chlorine (Cl) | 17 | 35.5 | 0.60 | 0.22 | -- | -- |
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Atmakuri, A.; Palevicius, A.; Janusas, G.; Eimontas, J. Investigation of Hemp and Flax Fiber-Reinforced EcoPoxy Matrix Biocomposites: Morphological, Mechanical, and Hydrophilic Properties. Polymers 2022, 14, 4530. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14214530
Atmakuri A, Palevicius A, Janusas G, Eimontas J. Investigation of Hemp and Flax Fiber-Reinforced EcoPoxy Matrix Biocomposites: Morphological, Mechanical, and Hydrophilic Properties. Polymers. 2022; 14(21):4530. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14214530
Chicago/Turabian StyleAtmakuri, Ayyappa, Arvydas Palevicius, Giedrius Janusas, and Justas Eimontas. 2022. "Investigation of Hemp and Flax Fiber-Reinforced EcoPoxy Matrix Biocomposites: Morphological, Mechanical, and Hydrophilic Properties" Polymers 14, no. 21: 4530. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14214530