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A special issue of Fibers (ISSN 2079-6439).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 43072

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ahmad Rashed Labanieh

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Guest Editor

Engineering and Materials Laboratory, GEMTEX, ENSAIT, University of Lille, 59100 Roubaix, France
Interests: mechanic of textile composite; staple fiber; textile reinforcement; modeling of fibrous reinforcement; preforming

Dr. Vincent Placet

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Guest Editor

Department of Applied Mechanics, CNRS/UFC/ENSMM/UTBM, FEMTO-ST Institute, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 25030 Besançon, France
Interests: material characterization; mechanics of materials; plant fibers; bio-based composites

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fiber-reinforced plastic composites have found structural and non-structural applications in different industrial, construction and sports fields. The development associated with these materials does not yet adequately cover the environmental, production cost and application requirements. These developments concern two aspects: materials (fiber and polymer) and manufacturing processes (yarn, reinforcement and composite). Examples of these developments that have received the attention of various industries, as well as the scientific committee, in the last decade include the use of natural fibers and thermoplastic polymers, the production of hybrid yarn and hybrid reinforcements, and the recycling of fiber waste and damaged composite parts. However, different scientific issues have been raised regarding the intrinsic properties of the newly used fibers and polymers in terms of geometrical, mechanical, thermal and water sorption/aging properties. In addition, technical issues are brought out relative to the adequacy of the conventional manufacturing processes of reinforcement and composite for the newly used fibers and the impact of these processes on their properties and the composite performance.

The Special Issue will be of interest for the composite making of natural fiber and/or thermoplastic polymer, as well as the characterization and manufacturing process at different stages: yarn/roving, reinforcement and composite.

In particular, the topics of interest include but are not limited to:

Natural fiber thermal–mechanical characterization;
Impact of the moisture sorption of natural fibers on the composite performance;
Hybrid yarn production and characterization;
Reinforcement fabrication using natural fiber and thermoplastic fiber;
Degradation of fiber performance due to reinforcement manufacturing process;
Multi-stage characterization across the composite manufacturing process;
Preforming performance of natural fiber/hybrid roving-based reinforcement;
Thermo-mechanical performance of hybrid roving;
Preparation and composite molding of natural-fiber-based composites;
Composite molding of thermoplastic-polymer-based composites;
Impact of recycling process on fiber performance;
Performance of recycled natural/synthetic-fiber-based composite;
Optimization of molding process of natural fiber/thermoplastic polymer;
Composite materials reinforced with renewable fibers;
Preparation and molding processes of natural-fiber-based composites;
Recyclability of natural-fiber-based composites;
Cellulosic fiber–thermoplastic polymer interaction.

Dr. Ahmad Rashed Labanieh
Dr. Vincent Placet
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fibers is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Natural fiber
Staple fiber
Composite molding
Thermoplastic composite
Mechanical characterization
Reinforcement manufacturing
Recyclability of composite

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 4174 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elementary Liber Fibres Characterisation: Bias from the Noncylindricity and Morphological Evolution along the Fibre

by Marie Grégoire, Emmanuel De Luycker and Pierre Ouagne

Fibers 2023, 11(5), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib11050045 - 15 May 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1492

Abstract

In this work, we investigate the influence of noncircularity along with cross-sectional area evolution on the measurement of the mechanical properties of elementary fibres. First, we focus on the cross-sectional area measurement and compare the circular assumption with the elliptical one using an ombroscopic device that allows the measurement of the projected diameters along the fibre as the fibre rotates around its axis, the fibre dimensional analysis system (FDAS). The results highlight important approximations to the cross-sectional area evaluation for fibres with noncircular cross sections, leading to reduced elastic modulus and stress at failure evaluated by the standard method. Additionally, results from the FDAS are used to evaluate the twist inside an individual fibre when the cross sections are sufficiently elliptical. A numerical model based on the real measured dimensions of the fibres is developed to illustrate and visualize this nonuniformity and to more accurately identify the elastic modulus. The results obtained lead us to an analytical approach that takes into account the evolution of the cross-sectional area along the fibre for a better identification of the stiffness and modulus of elasticity, which maximizes the identified mechanical properties on average by 12% for the modulus and 200% for the stress at failure. Finally, recommendations are formulated to better account for the variability along a fibre in order to evaluate the cross-sectional area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fiber Composite Process)

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17 pages, 3933 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Cross-Linkers on the Processing of Lignin/Polyamide Precursors for Carbon Fibres

by Baljinder K. Kandola, Trishan A. M. Hewage, Muhammed Hajee and A. Richard Horrocks

Fibers 2023, 11(2), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib11020016 - 29 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1776

Abstract

This work reports the use of cross-linkers in bio-based blends from hydroxypropyl-modified lignin (TcC) and a bio-based polyamide (PA1010) for possible use as carbon fibre precursors, which, while minimising their effects on melt processing into filaments, assist in cross-linking components during the subsequent thermal stabilisation stage. Cross-linkers included a highly sterically hindered aliphatic hydrocarbon (Perkadox 30, PdX), a mono-functional organic peroxide (Triganox 311, TnX), and two different hydroxyalkylamides (Primid^® XL-552 (PmD 552) and Primid^® QM-1260 (PmD 1260)). The characterisation of melt-compounded samples of TcC/PA1010 containing PdX and TnX indicated considerable cross-linking via FTIR, DSC, DMA and rheology measurements. While both Primids showed some evidence of cross-linking, it was less than with PdX and TnX. This was corroborated via melt spinning of the melt-compounded chips or pellet-coated TcC/PA1010, each with cross-linker via a continuous, sub-pilot scale, melt-spinning process, where both Primids showed better processability. With the latter technique, while filaments could be produced, they were very brittle. To overcome this, melt-spun TcC/PA1010 filaments were immersed in aqueous solutions of PmD 552 and PmD 1260 at 80 °C. The resultant filaments could be easily thermally stabilised and showed evidence of cross-linking, producing higher char residues than the control filaments in the TGA experiments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fiber Composite Process)

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12 pages, 3107 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigation of the Axial Crushing Response of Flax/Glass Eco-Hybrid Self-Supporting Web Composites

by Haris Ahmad Israr, King Jye Wong and Seyed Saeid Rahimian Koloor

Fibers 2022, 10(9), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib10090072 - 26 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1701

Abstract

This study investigates the quasi-static axial crushing tests of eco-hybrid composites based on flax and E-glass fibres strengthened with polyester resin. Five different configurations of self-supporting webs were fabricated to investigate the crushing behaviours of this eco-hybrid composite with different stacking sequences based on intercalation and sandwich-like sequences. The effect of different open-section web profiles was also investigated. The results were plotted in load-displacement curves and the specific energy absorption (SEA), as well as the crushing force efficiency (CFE), were calculated to evaluate the crushing response of each configuration. The test results verified the crushing mechanisms related to the energy absorption depending on the stacking sequence as well as the frontal profile. In this study, all specimens with the intercalation stacking sequence have achieved higher SEA and CFE than specimens with a sandwich-like stacking sequence. In terms of the frontal profile, the sine wave hat shape had the highest CFE, up to 80% compared to other web profiles. Thus, it demonstrated the capability of a sine wave hat-shape eco-composite based on flax fibre to be applied as a crashworthy material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fiber Composite Process)

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15 pages, 4362 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Statistical Modeling of Compressive Strength of Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Concrete—HFRC

by Uziel Cavalcanti de Medeiros Quinino, Roberto Christ, Bernardo Fonseca Tutikian and Luis Carlos Pinto da Silva

Fibers 2022, 10(8), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib10080064 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2620

Abstract

The incorporation of reinforcements is a necessity to compensate for the deficiency that concrete presents with its fragile behavior and low deformation capacity. One of the solutions to improve tensile performance is the addition of fiber in random distributions throughout the volume. However, this strategy can compromise the compressive strength of concrete; consequently, the purpose of this study was to analyze the compressive strength of conventional concrete with hybrid fiber reinforcement. A behavioral equation of compressive strength as a function of the hybridization of three types of fibers (steel, polypropylene, and carbon) was determined. This equation accounted for the proportions, as well as the binary and tertiary combinations, of fibers. Results showed that the effective participation of metallic fibers and their combination with synthetic fibers contributed positively to the performance of fiber-reinforced concrete. The gain in axial compression strength reached values in the range of 10% to 19% depending on the content of total fibers and their combination, without problems in the production process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fiber Composite Process)

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17 pages, 4141 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Recycling Process of a Basalt Fiber-Epoxy Laminate by Solvolysis: Mechanical and Optical Tests

by Livia Persico, Giorgia Giacalone, Beatrice Cristalli, Carla Tufano, Eudora Saccorotti, Pietro Casalone and Giuliana Mattiazzo

Fibers 2022, 10(6), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib10060055 - 17 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4110

Abstract

Basalt fibre epoxy composites well suit various engineering applications for their mechanical properties and chemical stability. However, after basalt/epoxy product lifespan, there are not many established ways to treat and recycle the fibers without deteriorating their physical, mechanical and chemical properties. In this study, a chemical recycling method for basalt fiber reinforced polymers is presented. The process is based on previous studies concerning carbon fibers epoxy composites in which the fibers are separated from the polymeric matrix through a solvolysis reaction at temperature below 160 °C. Firstly, the specimens are thermally pre-treated in a heater set over the glass transition temperature, to promote the polymeric swelling of the matrix. The chemical degradation is obtained by means of a solution of glacial acetic acid (AcOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂): compact, clean, resin-free, recycled woven fabrics are obtained and the original length of the yarns is maintained. Breaking tenacity of the recycled basalt fibers is kept up to 90.5% compared to the virgin ones, while, with a pyrolysis treatment, this value cannot exceed the 35%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fiber Composite Process)

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13 pages, 5074 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact Resistance of Rendering Mortars with Natural and Textile-Acrylic Waste Fibres

by Cinthia Maia Pederneiras, Rosário Veiga and Jorge de Brito

Fibers 2022, 10(5), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib10050044 - 17 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2326

Abstract

Renders should have an adequate resistance to impacts, since they must protect the substrate. The use of fibres may enhance the energy absorbed when the mortars are submitted to an impact load, which contributes to postpone the first crack, and control its propagation and width. In this study, the impact strength was measured by a falling mass from different heights. The cracking pattern and the impact energy for the appearance of the first crack and until failure were evaluated. An artificial accelerated ageing test was also performed, and the impact resistance was analysed before and after ageing. In order to analyse the effects of recycled fibres, wool, coir, flax and textile-acrylic waste fibres were used as reinforcement in cement and cement-lime mortars. The results indicated that the fibres’ addition significantly improved the impact energy of the rendering mortars in comparison with the reference mortars. Concerning the crack patterns, the recycled fibres prevented the opening or the growth of the cracks, before and after ageing. This effect is mainly due to the fibre’s bridge mechanism, due to crossing the open cracks and hindering their propagation. The fibres’ type, length and volume fraction have influenced the mortars’ performance in terms of impact resistance. Textile-acrylic fibres waste presented the best performance by comparison with the natural fibres used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fiber Composite Process)

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17 pages, 4784 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Ductility and Stiffness of Laminated Veneer Lumber Beams Strengthened with Fibrous Composites

by Michał Marcin Bakalarz and Paweł Grzegorz Kossakowski

Fibers 2022, 10(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib10020021 - 15 Feb 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3697

Abstract

The paper presents the results of experimental research on unstrengthened and strengthened laminated veneer beams subjected to 4-point bending. Aramid, glass and carbon sheets with high tensile strength (HS) and ultra-high modulus of elasticity (UHM) glued to external surfaces with an epoxy resin adhesive were used as reinforcement. Two reinforcement layouts were used: (1) sheets glued along the bottom surface and (2) sheets glued to the bottom and side surfaces. Based on the test results, the flexural strength, flexural ductility and stiffness were estimated. Compared to the reference beams, the maximum bending moment was higher by 15%, 20%, 30% and by 16%, 22% and 35% for the Aramid Fiber Reinforced Polymers (AFRP), Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) HS sheets, respectively. There was no significant increase in the flexural bending capacity for beams reinforced with UHM CFRP sheets. Similar values of bending ductility indices based on deflection and energy absorption were obtained. Higher increases in ductility were observed for AFRP, GFRP and CFRP HS sheets in “U” reinforcement layout. The average increase in bending stiffness coefficient ranged from 8% for AFRP sheets to 33% for UHM CFRP sheets compared to the reference beams. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fiber Composite Process)

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11 pages, 4257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploration of Mechanical Properties of Enset–Sisal Hybrid Polymer Composite

by Abera E. Bekele, Hirpa G. Lemu and Moera G. Jiru

Fibers 2022, 10(2), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib10020014 - 8 Feb 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4023

Abstract

Enset and sisal fibers are among the most widely used reinforcement to fabricate natural fiber-based composite materials. Hand lay-up techniques were employed in this study to fabricate enset–sisal (E/S) hybrid fiber composite with volume ratios of 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100 and constant polyester resin. The tensile, flexural, impact strength, water absorption and morphological properties of the fabricated composite were investigated experimentally. The effects of hybridization to volume ratio were determined and the results show that hybrid composites excel in mechanical properties, compared with single composites. For better mechanical properties, the enset fiber has been hybridized with sisal fiber. Tensile and flexural strengths were enhanced by 47.3% and 41.03%, respectively, at 50/50 E/S volume ratio compared with 100/0 E/S composite. The impact strength of sisal fiber composite was improved by adding enset fiber in the composites. The inherent benefits and limitations of these two fibers were balanced out by each other in a positive way. While sisal fiber helped the composite intermesh of tensile, flexural, and reduction of water absorption, enset ensured impact strength. Morphological analysis was carried out in order to observe the fracture behavior and fiber pull-out of the samples by means of scanning electron microscopy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fiber Composite Process)

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15 pages, 3339 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Characterization of Tensile Properties of Cola lepidota Fibers

by Rémy Legrand Ndoumou, Damien Soulat, Ahmad Rashed Labanieh, Manuela Ferreira, Lucien Meva’a and Jean Atangana Ateba

Fibers 2022, 10(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib10010006 - 12 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3383

Abstract

Plant fibers are being increasingly explored for their use in engineering polymers and composites, and many works have described their properties, especially for flax and hemp fibers. Nevertheless, the availability of plant fibers varies according to the geographical location on the planet. This study presents the first work on the mechanical properties of a tropical fiber extracted from the bast of Cola lepidota (CL) plant. After a debarking step, CL fibers were extracted manually by wet-retting. The tensile properties are first identified experimentally at the fibers scale, and the analysis of the results shows the great influence of the cross-section parameters (diameter, intrinsic porosities) on these properties. Tensile properties of CL fibers are also predicted by the impregnated fiber bundle test (IFBT). At this scale of bundles, a hackling step, which reduces shives and contributes to the parallelization of the fibers within bundles, improves tensile properties predicted by IFBT. The comparison with the properties of plant fibers given in the literature shows that CL fibers have tensile properties in the same range as kenaf, flax or hemp fibers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fiber Composite Process)

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16 pages, 5342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of the Fibre Orientation Distribution on the Mechanical and Preforming Behaviour of Nonwoven Preform Made of Recycled Carbon Fibres

by Jean Ivars, Ahmad Rashed Labanieh and Damien Soulat

Fibers 2021, 9(12), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib9120082 - 8 Dec 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4345

Abstract

Recycling carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and recovering high-cost carbon fibre (CF) is a preoccupation of scientific and industrial committees due to the environmental and economic concerns. A commercialised nonwoven mat, made of recycled carbon fibre and manufactured using carding and needle-punching technology, can promote second-life opportunities for carbon fibre. This paper aims to evaluate the mechanical and preforming behaviour of this nonwoven material. We focus on the influence that the fibre orientation distribution in the nonwoven material has on its mechanical and preforming behaviour at the preform scale, as well as the tensile properties at composite scale. The anisotropy index induced by fibre orientation is evaluated by analysing SEM micrographs using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) method. Then, the anisotropy in the tensile, bending, and preforming behaviour of the preform is inspected, as well as in the tensile behaviour of the composite. Additionally, we evaluate the impact of the stacking order of multi-layers of the nonwoven material, associated with its preferred fibre orientation (nonwoven anisotropy), on its compaction behaviour. The nonwoven anisotropy, in terms of fibre orientation, induces a strong effect on the preform mechanical and preforming behaviour, as well as the tensile behaviour of the composite. The tensile behaviour of the nonwoven material is governed by the inter-fibre cohesion, which depends on the fibre orientation. The low inter-fibre cohesion, which characterises this nonwoven material, leads to poor resistance to tearing. This type of defect rapidly occurs during preforming, even at too-low membrane tension. Otherwise, the increase in nonwoven layer numbers leads to a decrease in the impact of the nonwoven anisotropy behaviour under compaction load. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fiber Composite Process)

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16 pages, 3330 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites in the Construction of Bridges: Opportunities, Problems and Challenges

by Paweł Grzegorz Kossakowski and Wiktor Wciślik

Fibers 2022, 10(4), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib10040037 - 18 Apr 2022

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 11474

Abstract

In this review, we discuss the basic issues related to the use of FRP (fiber-reinforced polymer) composites in bridge construction. This modern material is presented in detail in terms of the possibility of application in engineering structures. A general historical outline of the use and development of modern structural materials, such as steel and concrete, is included to introduce composites as a novel material in engineering, and the most important features and advantages of polymers as a construction material are characterized. We also compare FRP to basic structural materials, such as steel and concrete, which enables estimation of the effectiveness of using of FRP polymers as structural material in different applications. The first bridges made of FRP composites are presented and analyzed in terms of applied technological solutions. Examples of structural solutions for deck slabs, girders and other deck elements made of FRP composites are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the systems of deck slabs, especially those composed of pultruded profiles, sandwich panels and hybrid decks. The disadvantages of composites, as well as barriers and limitations in their application in engineering practice, are presented. Exemplary analyses of the costs of construction, maintenance and demolition of FRP composite bridges are presented and compared with the corresponding costs of concrete and steel bridges. The directions of development of composite bridge structures and the greatest challenges facing engineers and constructors in the coming years are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fiber Composite Process)

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