ORCID
- Summerscales, John: 0000-0002-3557-0404
- Graham-Jones, Jasper: 0000-0003-3081-7049
Abstract
Lignocellulosic natural fibres are hydrophilic, while many matrix systems for composites are hydrophobic. The achievement of good mechanical properties for natural fibre-reinforced polymer (NFRP) matrix composites relies on good fibre-to-matrix bonding at the interface. The reinforcement is normally coated with an amphiphilic coupling agent to promote a strong interface. A novel alternative approach is to dissolve the coupling agent in the hardener for the resin before creating the stoichiometric mix with the base epoxy resin. During composite manufacture, the hydrophilic (polar) end of the coupling agent migrates to surfaces (internal interfaces) and bonds to the fibres. The hydrophobic (non-polar) end of the coupling agent remains embedded in the mixed resin. Mechanical testing of composite samples showed that silane added directly to the matrix produced a NFRP composite with enhanced longitudinal properties. As pre-process fibre coating is no longer required, there are economic (shorter process times), environmental (elimination of contaminated solvents) and social (reduced worker exposure to chemical vapours) benefits arising from the new technique.
DOI
10.3390/jcs6030097
Publication Date
2022-03-18
Publication Title
Journal of Composites Science
Volume
6
Issue
3
Embargo Period
2022-04-29
Organisational Unit
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics
Keywords
coupling agent, epoxy resin, hardener, interface, natural fibre
Recommended Citation
Hernandez, M. A., Summerscales, J., Graham-Jones, J., & Hall, W. (2022) 'Sustainable Manufacture of Natural Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Resin Composites with Coupling Agent in the Hardener', Journal of Composites Science, 6(3). Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs6030097
