Natural fibre filled composites

Examples of filled polymer compositions are discussed, where the role of the preparation method has been clearly identified in relation to compound structure and end properties. Particular attention is also given to recent developments in the field of natural fibre-filled composites, supercritical fluid assisted processing of filled polymers, re-use of thermoset recyclate fillers and silicate layer polymer nanocomposites. 

Currently marketed wood composites are based on 30% to 70% natural-fibre-filled polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene and PVC. Formulations have high performances and are more expensive than the virgin material. 

K. Majeed, M. Jawaid, A. Hassan, A. Abu Bakar, H.PS. Abdul Khalil, A.A. Salema, and 1. Inuwa, Potential materials for food packaging from nanoclay/natural fibres filled hybrid composites. Mater. Des. 46,391-410 (2013). 

A. K. Bledzki, and E SV. Recent developments and tendencies for natural fibre filled polymers, in Proceedings 3rd International Workshop on Green Composites, 2005, Kyoto, Japan2005. 

H. Ismail, M. Edyhan, and B. Wirjosentono, Bamboo fibre filled natural rubber composites the effects of filler loading and bonding agent. Polym. Test. 21(2), 139-144 (2002). 

Volnme resistivities have been reported on phenol-formaldehyde [37], carbon fibre reinforced ABS terpolymer [35], natural rubber [38], polystyrene (PS) [35], HDPE-natnral fibre composites [34], carbon black filled PP-epoxy-glass fibre composites [5], XLPE [32], nanoclay reinforced EPDM-g-TMEVS [31] and epoxy resin/PANI blends [33]. 

The absence of CH-rich zones in the vicinity of the fibres was reported by Akers and Garrett [41] for asbestos-cement composites and by Bentur and Akers [42] for cellulose FRC composites produced by the Hatscheck process. This may be the result of the affinity of these fibres for the cement particles, and the processing treatment which involves dewatering, both of which lead to a system with very little bleeding, and probably reduce the extent of formation of water-filled spaces around the fibres in the fresh mix. This is reflected in the nature of the fibre-matrix bond failure in asbestos composites, the cement matrix was sometimes seen to be sticking to the asbestos fibre bundle. This suggests that a strong interface was... 

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