Nuttapon Phongam. Mechanical properties of woven flax biocomposite laminates based on poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) : effect of silane treatment. Master's Degree(Materials and Production Engineering (International Program)). King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok. Central Library. : King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, 2014.
Mechanical properties of woven flax biocomposite laminates based on poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) : effect of silane treatment
Abstract:
Biocomposites made from biodegradable polymers as matrices and natural
fibers as reinforcement are environmentally friendly materials. Both constituent
materials are biodegradable and do not leave any noxious components on Earth. The
natural fibers have been used as reinforcement due to their advantages compared to
glass fibers such as low cost (lower than glass fibers), high specific strength and
modulus, low density, renewability and biodegradability. Numerous researches
reported the use of flax fibers in different forms but only few works were using
woven flax fibers, which have superior strength to the other forms of flax fibers (i.c.
short fiber, unidirectional fiber). Biopolymer such as Poly(butylenes adipate-co-
terephthalate) (PBAT) has been a commercially interested polymer because of its high
toughness (strain at break ~ 710%) and complete biodegradability. However, because
of its relatively high cost and limitations in mechanical properties, like low tensile
strength and modulus, the commercial large scale applications of this biodegradable
polymer are limited. Therefore, the aim of this research is to reinforce PBAT with
untreated and silane-treated two weave styles (2x2 Twill and 4x4 Plain) and non-
woven mat flax fibers for improving mechanical properties. Tensile strength and
modulus, impact strength, flexural strength and modulus were investigated. The water
absorption was also evaluated. The results showed that mechanical properties of
biocomposite reinforced with untreated woven flax fibers were improved compared to
pure PBAT. The silane-treated woven flax slightly increased the mechanical
properties compared to untreated one. This could be due to better adhesion between
matrix and fiber. Water absorption of silane treated flax fiber biocomposites was
decreased compare to untreated flax fibers due to a decrease in voids between matrix
and fiber.
King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok. Central Library