Investigation of the Effect of Seaweed Nanofibers in Jute Fiber-reinforced Composites as an Additive

해초 나노섬유가 황마섬유 강화 복합재료의 기계적 물성에 미치는 영향

Abstract

Recently, environmental pollution caused by plastic waste, ecosystem disturbance of micro-plastics and human body accumulation are becoming big problems. In order to replace the traditional plastic, eco-friendly resin and natural fiber-based composite materials have been developed, but they have a disadvantage that their mechanical properties are significantly lower than those of synthetic fiber-based composites. In this study, eco - friendly nanofiber was extracted from seaweed and used as an additive in order to improve the mechanical properties of jute fiber-reinforced composites. Through the hand lay-up process, the composites were fabricated, and it was confirmed that the nanofiber was effective in improving the mechanical properties of natural fiber composites through tensile, bending and drop weight impact tests.

최근 플라스틱 폐기물로 인한 환경오염, 미세플라스틱의 생태계 교란 및 인체축적이 큰 문제로 떠오르고 있다. 이를 대체하기 위하여 친환경 수지 및 천연섬유 기반의 복합재료가 개발되어 왔으나 합성섬유 기반의 복합재료에 비하여 기계적 물성이 크게 떨어진다는 단점이 있다. 본 연구에서는 천연섬유인 황마섬유(jute fiber)의 기계적 물성을 향상시키기 위하여 해초로부터 친환경 나노섬유를 추출 후 첨가제로 사용하였다. 핸드 레이업 공정을 이용하여 복합재료를 제조하였으며, 인장, 굽힘, 낙추충격시험을 통하여 나노섬유가 천연섬유 복합재료의 기계적 물성 향상에 효과적임을 확인할 수 있었다.

Fig. 1. Surface treatment of natural fibers; (a) Plasma treatment, and (b) Alkali treatment

Fig. 2. Filtration of cellulose nano fiber

Fig. 3. Extraction of seaweed nano fiber: (a) Before, and (b) After

Fig. 4. Conceptual diagram of 3 Roll Mill

Fig. 5. Manufacturing process Diagram of hand-layup

Fig. 6. Tensile behavior of nanocomposites

Fig. 7. Tensile properties of nanocomposites

Fig. 8. The results of three-point bending test, (a) Flexural strength, and (b) Fracture displacement

Fig. 9. The results of drop weight impact: (a) Load-time curve, and (b) Absorbed energy-time curve

Fig. 10. Fracture surface of (a) JFRP, and (b) 0.5% SW

Fig. 11. Observation of the surface of jute fiber, (a) JFRP, and (b) 0.5% SW