Effect of molding condition on tensile properties of hemp fiber reinforced composite

  • Takemura, K. (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kanagawa University) ;
  • Minekage, Y. (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kanagawa University)
  • Published : 2007.12.01

Abstract

In this study, the effect of molding condition on the tensile properties for plain woven hemp fiber reinforced green composite was examined. The tensile properties of the composite were compared with those of the plain woven jute fiber composite fabricated by the same process. Emulsion type biodegradable resin or polypropylene sheet was used as matrix. The composites were processed by the compression molding where the molding temperature and its heating time were changed from 160 to $190^{\circ}C$ and from 15 to 25 min, respectively. The following results were obtained from the experiment. The tensile property of hemp fiber reinforced polypropylene is improved in comparison with polypropylene bulk. The strength of composite is about 2.6 times that of the resin bulk specimen. Hemp fiber is more effective than jute fiber as reinforcement for green composite from the viewpoint of strength. The molding temperature and time are suitable below $180^{\circ}C$ and 20 min for hemp fiber reinforced green composite. Hemp fiber green composite has a tendency to decrease its tensile strength when fiber content is over 50 wt%.

Keywords

References

  1. S. Ochi, H. Takagi and H. Tanaka, Tensile properties of manila hemp reinforced cross-ply 'green' composites, J. Soc. Mater. Sci. 52, 916-921 (2003). https://doi.org/10.2472/jsms.52.916
  2. S. Ochi, Development of high strength biodegradable composites using manila hemp fiber and starch-based biodegradable resin, Appl. Sci. Manuf. 37, 1879-1883 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2005.12.019
  3. H. Takagi and Y. Ichihara, Effect of fiber length on mechanical properties of 'green' composites using a starch-based resin and short bamboo fibers, JSME 47, 551-555 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1299/jsmea.47.551
  4. H. Takagi and R. Takura, The manufacture and mechanical properties of composite boards made from starch-based biodegradable plastic and bamboo powder, J. Soc. Mater. Sci. 52, 357-361 (2003). https://doi.org/10.2472/jsms.52.357
  5. S. Lee and S. Wang, Biodegradable polymers/bamboo fiber biocomposite with bio-based coupling agent, Appl. Sci. Manuf. 37, 80-91 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2005.04.015
  6. S. H. Aziz and M. P. Ansell, The effect of alkalization and fiber alignment on the mechanical and thermal properties of kenaf and hemp bast fiber composites: Part 1—polyester resin matrix, Compos. Sci. Technol. 64, 1219-1230 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2003.10.001
  7. M. Pracella, D. Chionnna, I. Anguillesi, Z. Kulinski and E. Piorkowska, Functionalization compatibilization and properties of polypropylene composites with hemp fibers, Compos. Sci. Technol. 66, 2218-2230 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2005.12.006
  8. K. Goda, T. Asai and T. Yamane, Development of ramie fiber reinforced biodegradable resin matrix composites by press forming and effect of chemical treatments, J. Soc. Mater. Sci. 52, 1245-1252 (2003). https://doi.org/10.2472/jsms.52.1245
  9. G. Ben, Y. Kihara and Y. Aoki, Optimum molding conditions for fabricating green composite composed of kenaf fibers and PLA resin, in: Proc. Fourth Int. Workshop on Green Composites, pp. 106-111 (2006).