Reinforced polymer composites chemical modification treatments

Hepworth DG, Hobson RN, Bruce DM, Farrent JW (2000) The use of unretted hemp fibre in composite manufacture. Compos A 31 1279-1283 Idicula M, Boudenne A, Umadevi L, Ibos L, Candau Y, Thomas S (2006) Thermophysical properties of natural fibre reinforced polyester composites. Compos Sci Technol 66 2719-2725 Ioffe R, Andersons J, Wallstrom L (2003) Strength and adhesimt characteristics of elementary flax fibers with different surface treatments. Compos A 34 603-612 John MJ, Anandjiwala RD (2008) Recent developments in chemical modification and characterization of natural fiber-reinforced composites. Polym Compos 29 187-207 John MJ, Anandjiwala RD, Thomas S (2009) Hybrid cranposites. In Thomas S, Pothan LA (eds) Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites macro to nanoscale. Old City, Philadelphia, pp 315-328... 

The fibers or the yarn or rovings made therefrom can be processed to fleeces or mats (non-oriented semi-finished product) and textiles, lattices or meshes (oriented semifinished products) and can be utilized as such e.g. for thermal insulation or as filter materials, or in composites with other materials e.g. for fiber-reinforced polymers, metals or ceramics. Fibers are generally marketed after surface treatment (chemical modification, annealing, smoothing) to optimize their application and processing properties. 

The chapter demonstrates that in spite of the incompatibility between hydrophilic natural fibres and hydrophobic polymeric matrices, the properties of natural fibre composites can be enhanced through chemical modifications. The chemical treatments have therefore played a key role in the increased applications of natural fibre composites in the automotive sector. Recent work has also shown that if some of the drawbacks of natural fibres can be adequately addressed, these materials can easily replace glass fibres in many applications. The chapter has also shown that there have been attempts to use natural fibre composites in structural applications, an area which has been hitherto the reserve of synthetic fibres like glass and aramid. The use of polymer nanocomposites in applications of natural fibre-reinforced composites, though at infancy, may provide means to address these efficiencies. Evidence-based life-cycle assessment of natural fibre-reinforced composites is required to build confidence in the green composites applications in automotive sector. 

Ray, S. Okamoto, M. (2003) Polymer/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites A review from Preparation to Processing. Prog. Polym. Sci Vol.28, No.ll, pp.1539-1641 Saito, T. Matsushige, K. Tanaka, K (2002) Chemical Treatment and Modification of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. Physica B. Vol.323, No.1-4, pp.280-283 Seo, M. Park, S. (2004) A kinetic study on the termal degradation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes-reinforced poly(p>ropylene) composites. Macromol. Mater. Eng. Vol.289, No.4, pp.368-374... 

The strength of the fiber is very important for natural fiber-reinforced composites. Polar natural fibers are inherently incompatible with hydrophobic polymers. Therefore, the surface modification of natural fibers is required to improve its physical and chemical properties. Various chemical treatment methods have been used to modify the surface properties of the natural fibers. Few methods of surface modification are described below ... 

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