Flax fiber reinforced plastics

FFRP flax fiber reinforced plastics FSI flame spread index... 

Several years ago research was undertaken to use oleochemicals to build up matrices for natural fiber reinforced plastics [9]. The use of natural fibers, such as flax, hemp, sisal, and yucca is of increasing interest for various applications, among them the automotive and public transportation industries, where the com-... 

The use of traditional composites made by glass, aramid, or carbon fiber-reinforced plastics has recently been discussed critically because of increasing environmental consciousness [8]. Thus, the recent research and development (R D) efforts have led to new products based on natural resources. Some of these are biodegradable polymers like PLA, cellulose esters, polyhydroxyalkan-otes (PHAs), and starch polymers. Furthermore, natural fiber-reinforced plastics made of natural fibers like flax, hemp, kenaf, jute, and cotton fibers are important R D achievements. Composites made of natural fibers and biopolymers... 

Reimer-Tiemann reaction, 6 236 of salicylic acid, 22 5 Reinforced composites flax fiber in, 22 594 silylating agents and, 22 701-703 Reinforced plastics, 26 750-751 asbestos applications, 3 311 Reinforced polyester composites, 20 114 Reinforced reaction injection molding (RRIM), 25 456 Reinforcement... 

Bast fiber n. Any of a group of fibers taken from the inner barks of plants that run the length of the stem, is surrounded by enveloping tissue, and is cemented together by pectic gums. Included in the group are jute, flax, hemp, and ramie, some of which are used to reinforce plastics. 

All bast (stem) fibers (flax, kenaf, ramie, nettle, hemp, jute) as well as hard fibers (caroa, sisal) are suitable as for reinforcing fibers for natural fiber reinforced polymer composites, if they have a high tensile modulus and sufficient tensile strength. In addition to cultivation site, type and harvest, the properties of natural fibers depend significantly on the fiber extraction method. An extraction to technical fiber grades, i.e. production of bundles with different number of single fibers, is generally sufficient for use in plastics composites. The properties of such extracted fibers may be described as follows ... 

Cellulosic fibers, which are currently viewed as viable alternatives to synthetic fibers in the manufacture of NFRPs, have already established their place in the infrastmcture and commercial products market Currently, many types of natural fibers, derived from either wood and agricultural fibrous plants (such as flax, hemp, jute, and kenaf) or vegetable wastes (such as bagasse, rice husk, and grass), have already been investigated for use with plastics. Table 6.1 shows a list of biofibers and their sources [10] a more detailed discussion on natural fiber reinforcements can be found in Chapter 3 of this book. In general, biofibers can be considered... 

This variety of polymeric building blocks can be used to tailor the properties of a polymer to the specific areas of application. They can be used for adhesives, coatings, molded goods and reinforced plastics. If the latter are made with natural fibers e.g. - flax, - hemp and - sisal as reinforcement, almost totally RR-based products are accessible (- fiber reinforced molded goods). All these products have the benefit of being based on renewable resources they are biodegradable, can be recycled and have an unlimited availabilty. 

When tests on the strength and bonding of fiber-reinforced composites need to be performed, firstly test bars have to be prepared. The total process consists of two steps. In the first step, starch is gelatinized and mixed with glycerol in an extruder and pelleted. For the experiments with fiber reinforcement the flax or cellulose fibers have to be mixed into the starch during the first process step. The pellets are then very similar to the pellets used in plastic processing and they can... 

Fiber, flax Natural fiber obtained from the inner bark of the flax plant. Use includes as filler and in producing of high strength reinforced or laminated plastics. 

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