Polymeric composites with natural fiber additives
Magdalena Ziąbka, Barbara Szaraniec
Quarterly No. 2, 2010 pages 138-142
DOI:
keywords: composite materials, natural fibers, polyethylene, hemp, jute
abstract Among environmental friendly materials recently developed polymers modified by using natural fibers are considered as the most popular. The great interest of renewable fibers application comes from their good mechanical properties, low density and reduced costs of manufacturing. It has been well known that plant fibers are microbiological degradable materials. Their introduction into stable polymers is quite new and may significantly accelerate degradation of the fibrous composite. Presented work reports the results obtained from studies carried out on low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites reinforced with natural plant fibres. The composites were manufactured by use of injection molding followed by extrusion. During injection both jute and hemp fibers were introduced into polymer matrix in amount of 5% mass fraction. The studies focused on characterization of mechanical properties (tensile strength, Young modulus and hardness) as well as surface features (roughness and wettability). Observation of microstructure was done using scanning electron microscopy. In general, the results proved that hemp composites poses better properties in comparison to jute ones. In opposition to jute composites dispersion of hemp fibers was more homogenous. It did not deteriorate the tensile strength which was the same as measured for pure polymer. Simultaneously, the Young modulus increased its value. In jute composite the tensile strength decreased of 30%. Surface character of the composite with hemp changed from hydrophobic to hydrophilic which improved degradation. Such feature is especially required from the point of recycling possibility and environment protection.