Flexural properties of hemp fibre reinforced polylactide and unsaturated polyester composites
Citation
Export citationSawpan, M.A., Pickering, K.L. & Fernyhough, A. (2011). Flexural properties of hemp fibre reinforced polylactide and unsaturated polyester composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 43(3), 519-526.
Permanent Research Commons link: https://hdl.handle.net/10289/6086
Abstract
In this work, flexural strength and flexural modulus of chemically treated random short and aligned long hemp fibre reinforced polylactide and unsaturated polyester composites were investigated over a range of fibre content (0–50 wt%). Flexural strength of the composites was found to decrease with increased fibre content; however, flexural modulus increased with increased fibre content. The reason for this decrease in flexural strength was found to be due to fibre defects (i.e. kinks) which could induce stress concentration points in the composites during flexural test, accordingly flexural strength decreased. Alkali and silane fibre treatments were found to improve flexural strength and flexural modulus which could be due to enhanced fibre/matrix adhesion.
Date
2011Type
Publisher
Elsevier