Surface modification natural fiber reinforced composites

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 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 ... 

The aforementioned studies show that plasma treatment can be a potential physical surface modification method to improve the mechanical properties of the natural fiber reinforced composites (NFRCs). However, supplementary research in this area is required to implement more energy-efficient and consistent treatment technologies. 

Interest in natural fibers obtained from different resources to reinforce polymer so as to get the novel composites is growing rapidly because they are renewable, cheap, recyclable, and biodegradable. Research in this field has prompted surface modification of natural fibers in order to improve the compatibility between hydrophilic fibers and hydrophobic matrix [1], Major challenges for polymer scientists in the development of structural natural fiber-reinforced composites are to increase the moisture resistance, dimensional stability with minimized matrix material, and to decrease the manufacture costs of the composite materials. Different researchers have used different surface modification methods, that is, mercerization [2], benzoylation [3], silanation [4], acetylation [5], graft... 

Hokens, D. Mohanty, A.K. Misra, M. Drzal, L.T. The influence of surface modification and compatibilization on the performance of natural fiber reinforced biodegradabale thermoplastic composite. Polymer Preprints, 43(1), 482-483 (2002). 

Huo S, Fuqua M, Chevali V, Ulven C (2010b) Effects of natural fiber surface treatments matrix modification on mechanical properties of their composites. In Proceedings of Soc Automo Eng Int Congr Expt SAE Tech Paper 2010-01-0426, Detroit, MI, 13-15 Apr 2010, Wariendale, PA Huo S, Thapa A, Ulven C (2010c) Effect of surface treatments on interfacial properties of flax fiber reinforced composites. Compos Sci Technol (In Press)... 

A.K. Mohanty, L.T. Drzal, and M. Misra, Engineered natural fiber reinforced polypropylene composites influence of surface modifications and novel powder impregnation processing. J. Adhes. Sci. Technol. 16,999-1015 (2002). 

A.S. Singha, and R.K. Rana, Natural fiber reinforced polystyrene composites Effect of fiber loading, fiber dimensions and surface modification on mechanical properties. Mater. Des. 41,289-297 (2012). 

Three parts are covered in the chapter. First, the synthesis and properties of PLA are described. The modification and process of PLA are also discussed. Then, the composites with PLA as matrix and natural fiber or nanoparticles as reinforcement are reported in the second part. The processing and the properties of the composites are also given. The interface between PLA and the reinforcement and the surface treatment methods are discussed. Finally, the application and the development of PLA and PLA-based composites in the future are proposed. 

Abstract A wide variety of natural fibers can be applied as reinforcement or fillers in composites. Bast fibers, such as fiax and hemp, have a long history of cultivation and use. They are characterized by low weight and excellent range of mechanical properties. The properties of bast fibers are influenced by conditions of cultivation, retting, and processing. Pretreatment and surface modification of bast fibers is conducted for optimization of the interfacial characteristics between fiber and matrix as well as improvement of their mechanical properties. Application of bast fibers as reinforcement to replace the glass fibers to composite manufacture brings positive environmental benefits. 

SURFACE MODIFICATION OF NATURAL FIBERS FOR REINFORCEMENT IN POLYMERIC COMPOSITES... 

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