This research has investigated the tensile properties and fractography of animal fibre-reinforced low density polyethylene composites. The composites were synthesized by hot compression moulding using chemically modif...This research has investigated the tensile properties and fractography of animal fibre-reinforced low density polyethylene composites. The composites were synthesized by hot compression moulding using chemically modified white and black cow hair biofibres as the reinforcing phase of composites. Alkaline solutions of varying molarities were used to prepare the chemical treatments in this present study. Tensile properties of the developed composites were evaluated based on molarities of chemical treatment and % fibre loading. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the morphologies of the fractured surfaces of composites. Obtained tensile test results revealed significant enhancement in the tensile properties of composites, with the optimum combination of tensile properties presented by 2 wt% white cow hair biofibre reinforcement treated with 0.15 M sodium hydroxide. Observations from the fractographic analysis of the developed composites revealed shearing of the polymer matrix at the fibre-matrix interface and no fibre pullout behaviour.展开更多
In claim of developing ecologically-friendly and low cost polymeric materials, some polymer scientists and engineers have focused on improving the properties of polymer composites with natural fibers. One typical exam...In claim of developing ecologically-friendly and low cost polymeric materials, some polymer scientists and engineers have focused on improving the properties of polymer composites with natural fibers. One typical example of these natural fibers currently used as reinforcements in low load-bearing polymer composites is bovine fiber which is traditionally a waste from slaughterhouse. However, nature has designed natural fibers with anisotropic properties which may not augur well for the development of polymer composites with guaranteed field-proven reliability. Nonetheless, unlike vegetal fibers, most animal fibers can be alternatively exploited for keratinous applications. In the present study, the tensile properties, crude protein contents and variations in elemental distribution of hair fibers obtained from three breeds of bovine found in Nigeria were investigated. The hair fibers were characterized by ultimate testing machine, proximate analysis and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Superlative Young’s modulus and tensile strength among the fibers were found to be 0.98989 GPa and 0.56158 MPa, respectively. The determined crude protein contents of the fibers ranged between 35% and 40%. Also, single hair fibers from each bovine breed showed significant variations in elemental distribution along their longitudinal sections which translates to anisotropic chemical and mechanical properties. However, the mean spectral values of the principal elements that constitute amino acids in the fibers are in the same range with that of human hair fibers with a successful record of keratinous applications.展开更多
文摘This research has investigated the tensile properties and fractography of animal fibre-reinforced low density polyethylene composites. The composites were synthesized by hot compression moulding using chemically modified white and black cow hair biofibres as the reinforcing phase of composites. Alkaline solutions of varying molarities were used to prepare the chemical treatments in this present study. Tensile properties of the developed composites were evaluated based on molarities of chemical treatment and % fibre loading. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the morphologies of the fractured surfaces of composites. Obtained tensile test results revealed significant enhancement in the tensile properties of composites, with the optimum combination of tensile properties presented by 2 wt% white cow hair biofibre reinforcement treated with 0.15 M sodium hydroxide. Observations from the fractographic analysis of the developed composites revealed shearing of the polymer matrix at the fibre-matrix interface and no fibre pullout behaviour.
文摘In claim of developing ecologically-friendly and low cost polymeric materials, some polymer scientists and engineers have focused on improving the properties of polymer composites with natural fibers. One typical example of these natural fibers currently used as reinforcements in low load-bearing polymer composites is bovine fiber which is traditionally a waste from slaughterhouse. However, nature has designed natural fibers with anisotropic properties which may not augur well for the development of polymer composites with guaranteed field-proven reliability. Nonetheless, unlike vegetal fibers, most animal fibers can be alternatively exploited for keratinous applications. In the present study, the tensile properties, crude protein contents and variations in elemental distribution of hair fibers obtained from three breeds of bovine found in Nigeria were investigated. The hair fibers were characterized by ultimate testing machine, proximate analysis and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Superlative Young’s modulus and tensile strength among the fibers were found to be 0.98989 GPa and 0.56158 MPa, respectively. The determined crude protein contents of the fibers ranged between 35% and 40%. Also, single hair fibers from each bovine breed showed significant variations in elemental distribution along their longitudinal sections which translates to anisotropic chemical and mechanical properties. However, the mean spectral values of the principal elements that constitute amino acids in the fibers are in the same range with that of human hair fibers with a successful record of keratinous applications.
