Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

List of Contributors

Preface

Chapter 1: Nanoparticle- and Nanofiber-Based Polymer Nanocomposites: An Overview

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Nanoparticles
1.3 Fibrous Nanomaterials
1.4 Nanoparticle-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites
1.5 Fibrous-Nanomaterial-Based Polymer Nanocomposites
References

Chapter 2: Fabrication and Surface Characterization of Spherical Fly Ash Particle–Reinforced Epoxy Resin

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Matrix Material for Polymer Matrix Composites PMCs
2.3 Experimental Fabrication: Dough Prepared for Experiment Part
2.4 Testing and Characterization
2.5 This Research (Done by the Authors)
2.6 Conclusions
Acknowledgment
References

Chapter 3: Morphology, Structure, and Properties of Carbon Fiber–Polyamide Composites

3.1 Introduction
3.2 Experiments
3.3 Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References

Chapter 4: Natural-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

4.1 Introduction
4.2 Overview of Natural Fibers from Plant Resources
4.3 Natural-Fiber Composites
4.4 Conclusion
References

Chapter 5: Natural-Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy and USP Resin Composites

5.1 Introduction
5.2 Classification of Natural Fibers
5.3 Natural-Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Resin Composites
5.4 Natural-Fiber-Reinforced USP Resin Composites
5.5 Miscellaneous Thermoset Resin–Natural Fiber Composites
5.6 Market Trend – Future Perspectives
5.7 Summary
5.8 Tables on Mechanical Properties of Thermoset Resin–Natural Fiber Composites
References

Chapter 6: Influence of Surface Treatment of Fillers on Mechanical, Surface, and Water Sorption Behavior of Natural-Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

6.1 Introduction
6.2 Materials and Methods
6.3 Results and Discussion
6.4 Conclusions
References

Chapter 7: Tribological Behavior of PA/Rice Bran and PA/Glass Bead Composites

7.1 Introduction
7.2 Rice Bran Ceramics
7.3 Glass Beads
7.4 Preparation of PA/Rice Bran Ceramics and PA/Glass Bead Composites
7.5 Mechanical Properties of PA/Rice Bran Ceramics and PA/Glass Bead Composites
7.6 Friction and Wear Behavior of PA/Rice Bran Ceramics and PA/Glass Bead Composites
7.7 Effect of Severity of Sliding Contact on Wear Behavior of PA Composites
7.8 Summary
References

Chapter 8: Utilization of Waste Carbon as Reinforcement in Thermoset Composites

8.1 Introduction
8.2 Natural Fiber a Source of Carbonaceous Material
8.3 Physical Characterization of Carbon Black Particles
8.4 Extraction of Waste Carbon from Lignocellulosic Fiber
8.5 Thermoset Polymer Composite Reinforced with Waste Carbon
8.6 Results and Analysis
8.7 Mechanical Properties of Thermoset Polymer Composite
8.8 Tribological Properties of Thermoset Polymer Composite
References

Chapter 9: Coconut-Shell-Based Fillers for Partial Eco-Composites

9.1 Introduction
9.2 Experimental Procedure
9.3 Results and Discussion
9.4 Conclusions
References

Chapter 10: Biocomposites with Biopolyesters and Date Seed Powder

10.1 Introduction
10.2 Experiment
10.3 Results and Discussion
10.4 Conclusions
Acknowledgment
References

Index

End User License Agreement

List of Illustrations

Chapter 1: Nanoparticle- and Nanofiber-Based Polymer Nanocomposites: An Overview

Figure 1.1 Schematic representation of differences in the sizes of particles and their resultant properties.
Figure 1.2 (a,b) Field-emission SEM images of the poly (cyclotriphosphazene-4,4′sulfonyldiphenol) (PZS) nanofibers. (c,d) HR-TEM images of the PZS nanofibers.
Figure 1.3 Schematic representation of electrospinning chamber. (Bae et al. [47]. Reproduced with permission of Springer Publishing Company.)
Figure 1.4 Schematic representation of the CVD system with a horizontal quartz tube placed in a furnace. A small quartz vial inside the quartz tube is used to trap zinc vapor during the synthesis process.
Figure 1.5 Schematic representation of (a) pure PHBV and (b) composite ZnO NPs/PHBV fiber.
Figure 1.6 Dependence of (a) dielectric permittivity and (b) dielectric loss tangent of the PI/TiO₂ nanocomposite films on the concentration of nano-TiO₂ particles.
Figure 1.7 Schematic representation of fiber orientations with respect to the sliding direction.
Figure 1.8 Schematic representation of preparation of PS/AgNW nanocomposites with the latex-based process.
Figure 1.9 (a) Flexural strengths and (b) flexural moduli of PLA nanocomposite incorporating various amounts of pristine VGCF and PLA-VGCF.
Figure 1.10 Electrical conductivity of epoxy/VGCNFs nanocomposites with respect to VGCNFs content (inset: calculation of the critical exponent by fitting the logarithmic conductivity as a linear function of the logarithmic different between weight percent VGCNF content and critical concentration of VGCNF).
Figure 1.11 PPy-coated PLGA meshes. (a) Photographs of uncoated PLGA meshes (white, left) and PPy-PLGA meshes (black, right). (b) SEM micrograph of single strands of PPy-PLGA fibers. (c) SEM image of section of the PPy-PLGA meshes.
Figure 1.12 Volume electrical resistivity of AgNp and AgNw/epoxy-resin conductive film with various silver contents.

Chapter 2: Fabrication and Surface Characterization of Spherical Fly Ash Particle–Reinforced Epoxy Resin

Figure 2.1 SEM images of fly ash particles [1].
Figure 2.2 Gray and light-gray colors of fly ash [12].
Figure 2.3 Schematic of a typical coal-powered power station [7].
Figure 2.4 (a–d) SEM morphology of different fly ashes (a) T 59, (b) T 60, (c) T 63, and (d) T 64. (e) Normalized radiation as a function of wavelength.
Figure 2.5 Chemical composition of epoxy [27, 28].
Figure 2.6 (a) Chemical structure of diamine [28]. (b) Cross-linking mechanism in epoxy [28]. (c) Cross-linked network of epoxy [28].
Figure 2.7 Mixing of fly ash and resin.
Figure 2.8 Secondary ion sputtering [32].
Figure 2.9 Components of SIMS [32].
Figure 2.10 Schematic of SIMS instrument used in this study [32].
Figure 2.11 SIMS holders.
Figure 2.12 Principle of EDS.
Figure 2.13 Sample of ED spectra of jadeite (part), showing K peaks of Na, A1, and Si [34].
Figure 2.14 SIMS irradiated area of 10 wt% FA–epoxy as a dark rectangle.
Figure 2.15 SIMS for Si, Mg, Fe, S, Ca, K, and Al elements in 10 wt% fly ash–epoxy.
Figure 2.16 EDS spectra for 10 wt% FA–epoxy.
Figure 2.17 (a) SIMS for 50% FA–epoxy. (b) SIMS for elements Al, Mg, Ca, K, Fe, Si, and S in 50% fly ash–epoxy composite. (c) EDS spectra for 50% FA–epoxy showing Si, C, and O.

Chapter 3: Morphology, Structure, and Properties of Carbon Fiber–Polyamide Composites

Figure 3.1 (a) Tensile strength, (b) tensile modulus, (c) elongation at break, and (d) impact strength of PA6/CF composites.
Figure 3.2 SEM images of (a) PA6, (b) PA/CF10, (c) PA/CF15, and (d) PA/CF20 composites.
Figure 3.3 Nonisothermal crystalline curves of PA6/CF composites at various cooling rates: (a) PA6; (b) PA/CF10; (c) PA/CF15; and (d) PA/CF20.
Figure 3.4 Melting curves of PA/CF composites subsequent different cooling rates: (a) PA6, (b) PA/CF10, (c) PA/CF15, and (d) PA/CF20.
Figure 3.5 X-ray diffraction patterns for (a) PA6, (b) PA/CF10, (c) PA/CF15, and (d) PA/CF20 composites.
Figure 3.6 POM micrographs of (a) PA6, (b) PA/CF10, (c) PA/CF15, and (d) PA/CF20 composites.
Figure 3.7 TGA thermograms of PA6 matrix and its composites with CF, (a) PA6, (b) PA/CF10, (c) PA/CF15, and (d) PA/CF20.
Figure 3.8 SEM images of the CF samples, (a,b) carbon fiber and (c,d) the CF after surface treatment with silane coupling agent.
Figure 3.9 SEM images of (a) PA6 matrix, (b) PA/CF10, (c) PA/KCF10, and (d) PA/KCF20 composites.
Figure 3.10 Nonisothermal crystalline curves of PA6 and its composites at various cooling rates: (a) PA6; (b) PA/CF10; (c) PA/KCF10; and (d) PA/KCF20.
Figure 3.11 Melting curves of PA6 and its composites at subsequent different cooling rates: (a) PA6, (b) PA/CF10, (c) PA/KCF10, and (d) PA/KCF20.
Figure 3.12 XRD patterns of (a) PA6, (b) PA/CF10, (c) PA/KCF10, and (d) PA/KCF20 composites.
Figure 3.13 POM micrographs of (a) PA6, (b) PA/CF10, (c) PA/KCF10, and (d) PA/KCF20 composites.
Figure 3.14 TGA curves of PA6, PA/CF10, PA/KCF10, and PA/KCF20 composites.
Figure 3.15 Mechanical properties of PA/CF composites with different tougheners.
Figure 3.16 SEM images of PA6/CF composites with different tougheners after impact test, (a) PA/EVA/0, (b) PA/EPDM/0, and (c) PA/SEBS/0.
Figure 3.17 SEM and enlarged SEM images of PA6/CF composites with different tougheners after impact test: (a) PA/CF20, (b) PA/EVA/CF20, (c) PA/EPDM/CF20, and (d) PA/SEBS/CF20.
Figure 3.18 Nonisothermal crystalline curves of PA/CF composites with different tougheners at various cooling rates: (a) PA/CF20, (b) PA/EVA/CF20, (c) PA/EPDM/CF20, and (d) PA/SEBS/CF20.
Figure 3.19 Melting curves of PA6/toughener/CF composites subsequent nonisothermal crystalline: (a) A20; (b) PA/EVA/20; (c) PA/EPDM/20; and (d) PA/SEBS/20.
Figure 3.20 XRD patterns of PA/CF composites with different tougheners (a,b) and annealed at 160 °C (c,d) and 200 °C (e,f) for 4 h.
Figure 3.21 POM photographs of PA/CF composites with different tougheners: (a) pure PA6, (b) PA/EVA/0, (c) PA/EPDM/0, (d) PA/SEBS/0, (e) PA/CF20, (f) PA/EVA/CF20, (g) PA/EPDM/CF20, and (h) PA/SEBS/CF20.
Figure 3.22 TGA curves of PA/toughener/CF composites.

Chapter 4: Natural-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Figure 4.1 Microstructures, molecular structures of natural fiber.
Figure 4.2 The influence of chemical composition of natural fiber on the performance of fiber.
Figure 4.3 Common chemical surface modifications of natural fibers.
Figure 4.4 Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of (a) untreated OPS, (b) alkali-treated OPS, (c) untreated OPS-UP composite, and (d) alkali-treated OPS-UP [43].
Figure 4.5 Effect of OPS size on tensile strength and flexural strength.
Figure 4.6 (a) Storage modulus (E′) and (b) loss modulus (E″) curves for 50% of different natural-fiber-reinforced polypropylene composite.
Figure 4.7 (a) DSC and (b) TGA curve of fiber constituents and untreated fiber.
Figure 4.8 TGA and DTG curves of untreated and alkali-treated oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber.
Figure 4.9 TGA curves of different percentages of oil palm shell (OPS) in polyester (UP) composite.
Figure 4.10 Effect of alkali treatment of RHP on the composite moisture absorption.
Figure 4.11 Effect of natural filler percentage on wear rate and COF of OPS-UP composite.

Chapter 6: Influence of Surface Treatment of Fillers on Mechanical, Surface, and Water Sorption Behavior of Natural-Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Figure 6.1 SEM pictures of (a) cellulose, (b) sawdust, and (c) wheat straw.
Figure 6.2 Schematic representation of silane treatment.
Figure 6.3 Torque versus time data for 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 wt% cellulose-loaded PP composites.
Figure 6.4 Variation of stabilization torque with respect to cellulose loading and treatment.
Figure 6.5 Effect of concentration of AS treatment on stabilization torque of 30 wt% fiber-loaded PP composites.
Figure 6.7 Effect of concentration of MAPP treatment on stabilization torque of 30 wt% fiber-loaded PP composites.
Figure 6.6 Effect of concentration of MS treatment on stabilization torque of 30 wt% fiber-loaded PP composites.
Figure 6.8 Effect of fiber loading on tensile strength of PP/CE, PP/SD, and PP/WS composites.
Figure 6.9 Effect of coupling agent on tensile strength of PP/CE, SD, and WS composites.
Figure 6.10 Effect of coupling agent on the experimental and calculated yield stress values of PP/CE composites with respect to volume fraction.
Figure 6.11 Effect of fiber loading and treatment type on Young's Modulus of PP/CE composites.
Figure 6.12 Effect of fiber and treatment type on Young's Modulus of PP fiber composites at 30 wt% fiber loading.
Figure 6.13 Effect of CE loading on strain at break and energy to break of untreated PP/CE composites.
Figure 6.14 Effect of fiber and treatment type on strain at break of PP/CE, SD, WS composites at 30 wt% fiber loading.
Figure 6.15 SEM images of (a) untreated, (b) AS-treated, (c) MS-treated, and (d) MAPP-treated CE/PP composites at 30 wt% loading and 100 times magnification.
Figure 6.17 SEM images of (a) untreated, (b) AS-treated, (c) MS-treated, and (d) MAPP-treated WS/PP composites at 30 wt% loading and 100 times magnification.
Figure 6.16 SEM images of (a) untreated, (b) AS-treated, (c) MS-treated, and (d) MAPP-treated SD/PP composites at 30 wt% loading and 100 times magnification.
Figure 6.18 SEM images of (a) untreated, (b) AS-treated, (c) MS-treated, and (d) MAPP-treated CE/PP composites at 30 wt% loading and 1000 times magnification.
Figure 6.19 Effect of coupling agents and fiber type on water sorption of composites.

Chapter 7: Tribological Behavior of PA/Rice Bran and PA/Glass Bead Composites

Figure 7.1 Friction coefficients and specific wear rates of thermoplastic resin/RBC composites: (a) friction coefficients and (b) specific wear rates [25].
Figure 7.2 SEM images of fillers: (a) RBC particles and (b) GBs.
Figure 7.3 Schematic diagram of manufacturing process of PA composites.
Figure 7.4 SEM images of surfaces of (a) pure PA, (b) RBC 26 vol% composite, and (c) GB 26 vol% composites.
Figure 7.5 Friction tester: (a) linear-motion type and (b) rotation-motion type.
Figure 7.6 Relationship of friction coefficients with normal loads at: (a) v = 0.01 m s⁻¹, (b) v = 0.1 m s⁻¹, and (c) v = 1.0 m s⁻¹.
Figure 7.7 Friction coefficients as a function of P_maxv.
Figure 7.8 Specific wear rates as a function of normal loads at: (a) v = 0.01 m s⁻¹, (b) v = 0.1 m s⁻¹, and (c) v = 1.0 m s⁻¹.
Figure 7.9 Specific wear rates as a function of P_maxv.
Figure 7.10 SEM images of the worn surfaces at a normal load of 0.49 N and a sliding velocity of 0.01 m s⁻¹: (a) RBC 26 vol%, (b) GB 26 vol% composites, and (c) pure PA.
Figure 7.11 SEM images of the worn surfaces at a normal load of 4.9 N and a sliding velocity of 0.01 m s⁻¹: (a) RBC 26 vol%, (b) GB 26 vol% composites, and (c) pure PA.
Figure 7.12 SEM images of the worn surfaces at a normal load of 0.49 N and a sliding velocity of 1.0 m s⁻¹: (a) RBC 26 vol%, (b) GB 26 vol% composites, and (c) pure PA.
Figure 7.13 Wear volume as a function of friction cycles at a sliding velocity of 0.01 m s⁻¹ and a normal load of 4.9 N.
Figure 7.14 SEM images of the worn surfaces at a sliding velocity of 0.01 m s⁻¹ and a normal load of 4.9 N in (a) 10² cycles, (b) 10³ cycles for pure PA, (c)10² cycles, and (d)10³ cycles for RBC 26 vol% composite.
Figure 7.15 Specific wear rates at a sliding velocity of 0.01 m s⁻¹ as a function of ratios of tensile stress to tensile strength.
Figure 7.16 Specific wear rates at a sliding velocity of 0.01 m s⁻¹ as a function of dimensionless parameter.
Figure 7.17 Optical images of the worn surfaces of the steel balls at a sliding velocity of 0.01 m s⁻¹ and a normal load of 4.9 N: (a) versus pure PA, (b) versus RBC 26 vol% composite, and (c) versus GB 26 vol% composite.

Chapter 8: Utilization of Waste Carbon as Reinforcement in Thermoset Composites

Figure 8.1 Molecular structures of cellulose and the (β 1 → 4) glycoside bond.
Figure 8.2 A schematic representation of the hemicellulose backbone of arborescent plants.
Figure 8.3 The three phenyl propane monomers in lignin.
Figure 8.4 Basic unit of pectin: poly-α-(1-4)-d-galacturonic acid.
Figure 8.7 XRD analysis of coconut shell particulates.
Figure 8.5 Flow diagram of preparation of activated carbon black.
Figure 8.6 XRD analysis of wood apple shell particulates.
Figure 8.8 Wood apple shell particulates.
Figure 8.9 Coconut shell particulates.
Figure 8.10 SEM images of raw, carbon black at 800 °C and activated carbon black at 800 °C particulates of wood apple shell. (a) Raw wood apple shell particulates, (b) carbonized wood apple shell particulates at 800 °C, and (c) activated wood apple shell particulates at 800 °C.
Figure 8.11 SEM images of raw, carbon black at 800 °C and activated carbon black at 800 °C particulates of coconut shell. (a) Raw coconut shell particulates, (b) carbonized coconut shell particulates at 800 °C, and (c) activated coconut shell particulates at 800 °C.
Figure 8.12 Effect of filler content on tensile strength of (a) wood apple shell (b) coconut shell particulate polymer composite.
Figure 8.13 Effect of filler content on flexural strength of (a) wood apple shell (b) coconut shell particulate polymer composite.
Figure 8.14 Variation of erosion rate with different impact angle of (a) raw (b) 400 °C (c) 600 °C (d) 800 °C, and (e) activated (800 °C) wood apple shell particulate composites at impact velocity 48 m s⁻¹.
Figure 8.15 Variation of erosion rate with different impact angles of (a) raw (b) 400 °C (c) 600 °C (d) 800 °C, and (e) activated (800 °C) coconut shell particulate composites at impact velocity 48 m s⁻¹.

Chapter 9: Coconut-Shell-Based Fillers for Partial Eco-Composites

Figure 9.1 Photograph of a coconut.
Figure 9.2 (a) The coconut shell. (b) The fresh coconut shell particles (CSF). (c) The coconut shell ash (CSA) particles.
Figure 9.3 The tensile samples. (a) Unreinforced matrix and (b) reinforced epoxy matrix.
Figure 9.4 The bending and hardness test samples.
Figure 9.5 (a) XRD pattern of the coconut shell fresh particle (CSF). (b) XRD pattern of the coconut shell ash (CSA) particle. (c) SEM/EDS microstructure of the coconut shell fresh particles (CSF). (d) SEM/EDS microstructure of the coconut shell ash (CSA) particles.
Figure 9.6 Variation of density with weight percentage of coconut shell particles.
Figure 9.7 (a) SEM/EDS microstructure of the epoxy matrix. (b) SEM/EDS microstructure of the epoxy matrix reinforced with 5 wt%CSFp. (c) SEM/EDS microstructure of the epoxy matrix reinforced with 5 wt%CSAp. (d) SEM/EDS microstructure of the epoxy matrix reinforced with 15 wt%CSFp. (e) SEM/EDS microstructure of the epoxy matrix reinforced with 15 wt%CSAp.
Figure 9.8 (a) Variation of elastic modulus with weight percentage of coconut shell particles. (b) Variation of tensile strength with weight percentage of coconut shell particles. (c) Variation of flexure strength with weight percentage of coconut shell particles. (d) Variation of hardness values with weight percentage of coconut shell particles. (e) Variation of impact energy with weight percentage of coconut shell particles.
Figure 9.9 (a) DTA/TGA scan of the epoxy matrix. (b) DTA/TGA scan of the epoxy matrix/15 wt%CSFp. (c) DTA/TGA scan of the epoxy matrix/15 wt%CSAp.

Chapter 10: Biocomposites with Biopolyesters and Date Seed Powder

Figure Scheme 10.1 The design of eco-friendly composite materials.
Figure 10.1 (a) Light microscopy image of DSP; (b) TEM image of the particles; and (c–e) EDX analysis of the composition of DSP at three different locations on the TEM image.
Figure 10.2 (a) FT-IR spectrum of pure DSP; (b) DSC and (c) TGA (nitrogen) thermograms of pure DSP; and (d) TGA-MS analysis of powder in air environment.
Figure 10.3 (a) Melting and (b) crystallization curves for PBAT and its composites with DSP.
Figure 10.4 (a) Melting (first heating cycle) and (b) crystallization curves for PLA and its composites with DSP. Melting (second heating cycle) and corresponding crystallization curves are shown in (c,d), respectively.
Figure 10.5 (a) Differential and (b) cumulative TGA thermograms of PBAT and composites.
Figure 10.6 (a) Differential and (b) cumulative TGA thermograms of PLA and composites.
Figure 10.7 Storage modulus of (a) PBAT and (b) PLA composites as a function of filler content.
Figure 10.8 Loss modulus of (a) PBAT and (b) PLA composites as a function of filler content.
Figure 10.9 Complex viscosity of (a) PBAT and (b) PLA composites with increasing amount of DSP.
Figure 10.10 van Gurp compatibility analysis for (a) PBAT and (b) PLA composites.
Figure 10.11 (a) Light microscopy and (b) TEM images of PBAT composite with 10% DSP content. (c,d) Correspond to light microscopy and TEM images of PBAT composite with 30% DSP content. The dark phase in these images represents the cross section of filler particles.
Figure 10.12 (a) Light microscopy and (b) TEM images of PLA composite with 10% DSP content. (c,d) Correspond to light microscopy and TEM images of PLA composite with 30% DSP content. The dark phase in these images represents the cross section of filler particles.
Figure 10.13 AFM height micrographs of PBAT composites with (a) 10% and (b) 30% DSP content; micrographs of the PLA composites with (c) 10% and (d) 30% DSP content.
Figure 10.14 Weight loss versus soil embedding time for PLA, PBAT, and composites. I: PLA; II: PLA + 20% DSP; III: PLA + 40% DSP; IV: PBAT; V: PBAT + 20% DSP; VI: PBAT + 40% DSP.
Figure 10.15 Optical micrographs of (a) PBAT and (b) PLA and their composites after embedding into natural soil for 120 days. The width of the images reads 100 µm.

List of Tables

Chapter 1: Nanoparticle- and Nanofiber-Based Polymer Nanocomposites: An Overview

Table 1.1 Filtration resistances of neat and Al₂O₃-doped PES membranes

Chapter 2: Fabrication and Surface Characterization of Spherical Fly Ash Particle–Reinforced Epoxy Resin

Table 2.1 Normal range of chemical composition of fly ash produced from different coal types [17]
Table 2.2 Percentages of fly ash and the epoxy in samples
Table 2.3 FA constituents with their percentage in the used fly ash
Table 2.4 Fly ash–epoxy composite at 10 wt%
Table 2.5 Fly ash–epoxy composite at 50 wt%

Chapter 3: Morphology, Structure, and Properties of Carbon Fiber–Polyamide Composites

Table 3.2 Composition of PA6/CF composites
Table 3.6 Composition of PA6/toughener/CF composites
Table 3.1 Nonisothermal crystallization parameters and subsequent melting parameters of PA/CF composites at various cooling rates
Table 3.3 Mechanical properties of PA6/CF composites
Table 3.4 Nonisothermal crystallization parameters of PA6 matrix and its composites at various cooling rates
Table 3.5 Melting parameters of PA6 matrix and its composites after nonisothermal crystallization
Table 3.7 Mechanical properties of PA/toughener/CF composites
Table 3.8 Nonisothermal crystalline parameters of PA6/toughener/CF composites at various cooling rates

Chapter 4: Natural-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Table 4.1 Production of biocomposites (WPC and NFC) in the European Union 2012 and forecast for 2020 [8]
Table 4.2 Comparison between common natural fibers and two synthetic fibers from economy, technical, and ecological points of view
Table 4.3 Chemical composition percentage (wt%) of common lignocellulosic fiber
Table 4.4 Physical and mechanical properties of plant fiber [29, 30]
Table 4.5 The three main stages of mass loss of natural fibers

Chapter 5: Natural-Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy and USP Resin Composites

Table 5.1 Fruit-fiber-reinforced thermoset polymer composites.
Table 5.7 Seed-fiber-reinforced thermoset polymer composites.

Chapter 6: Influence of Surface Treatment of Fillers on Mechanical, Surface, and Water Sorption Behavior of Natural-Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Table 6.1 Percentage increase in tensile strength with varying treatment type and its amount for 30 wt% fiber-loaded composites compared to untreated composites
Table 6.2 Percentage decrease in water sorption with changing coupling agent for CE-, SD-, and WS-loaded composites

Chapter 7: Tribological Behavior of PA/Rice Bran and PA/Glass Bead Composites

Table 7.1 Mechanical properties of fillers
Table 7.2 Mechanical properties of pure PA and PA composites

Chapter 8: Utilization of Waste Carbon as Reinforcement in Thermoset Composites

Table 8.1 Composition of lignocellulosic fibers in several sources on dry basis
Table 8.2 Proximate analysis of activated raw wood apple and coconut shell particles based on impregnation ratio
Table 8.3 Survey Table on research carried out on various conditions of carbonization and activation processes with specific application
Table 8.4 Typical properties of some thermosetting resins
Table 8.5 Chemical composition of raw shell particles
Table 8.6 Proximate analysis of lignocellulosic particulates
Table 8.7 Ultimate analysis of lignocellulosic particulates

Chapter 10: Biocomposites with Biopolyesters and Date Seed Powder

Table 10.1 Assignment of the bands to the constituents of DSP [19]
Table 10.2 Calorimetric properties of PBAT and PLA composites.^a
Table 10.3 Mechanical properties of the PBAT-DSP composites (average of five measurements)
Table 10.4 Mechanical properties of the PLA-DSP composites (average of five measurements)

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List of Contributors

Samir Kumar Acharya
Department of Mechanical Engineering
National Institute of Technology Rourkela
Sector 1
769008 Rourkela
Odisha
India

Victor Sunday Aigbodion
University of Nigeria
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Nsukka 410001
Nigeria

Ulas Atikler
Department of Chemical Engineering
İzmir Institute of Technology
Gülbahçe Kampüsü
35430 Urla İzmir
Turkey

Sri Bandyopadhyay
University of New South Wales
School of Materials Science and Engineering
College Road
Kensington 2052
Sydney
Australia

Ali Usman Chaudhry
Department of Chemical Engineering
The Petroleum Institute
Abu Dhabi
UAE

Sujan Debnath
Curtin University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
CDT 250
Miri 98009
Sarawak
Malaysia

Sheila Devasahayam
Federation University
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Australia

Kannaiyan Dinakaran
Thiruvalluvar University
Department of Chemistry
Serkadu
632115 Vellore
Tamilnadu
India

Suleiman Bolaji Hassan
University of Lagos
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Akoka Yaba 100001
Lagos State
Nigeria

Kazuo Hokkirigawa
Tohoku University
Graduate School of Engineering
Aramaki Aza Aoba 6-6-01
Aoba-ku 980-8579
Sendai
Japan

Shahad Ibraheem
University of New South Wales
School of Materials Science and Engineering
College Road
Kensington 2052
Sydney
Australia

Munusamy Kesava
Thiruvalluvar University
Department of Chemistry
Serkadu
632115 Vellore
Tamilnadu
India

Nadejda B. Matsko
Graz Centre for Electron Microscopy
Steyrergasse 17
8010 Graz
Austria

Vikas Mittal
Department of Chemical Engineering
The Petroleum Institute
Abu Dhabi
UAE

Omid Nabinejad
Curtin University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
CDT 250
Miri 98009
Sarawak
Malaysia

Shakuntala Ojha
Talla Padmavathi Engineering College
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Warangal
Telangana
India

Gujjala Raghavendra
Department of Mechanical Engineering
National Institute of Technology Warangal
506004 Warangal
Telangana
India

Lin Sang
Dalian University of Technology
School of Automotive Engineering
Chemical Building
West Campus
No. 2 Linggong Road
Dalian 116024
China

Jacob Sarki
Department of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Service
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria
Ikeja 100001
Lagos
Nigeria

Kei Shibata
Tohoku University
Graduate School of Engineering
Aramaki Aza Aoba 6-6-01
Aoba-ku 980-8579
Sendai
Japan

Owen Standard
University of New South Wales
School of Materials Science and Engineering
College Road
Kensington 2052
Sydney
Australia

Funda Tihminlioglu
Department of Chemical Engineering
İzmir Institute of Technology
Gülbahçe Kampüsü
35430 Urla İzmir
Turkey

Muthukumaraswamy Rangaraj Vengatesan
Department of Chemical Engineering
The Petroleum Institute
Abu Dhabi
UAE

Zhiyong Wei
Dalian University of Technology
Department of Polymer Science and Materials
School of Chemical Engineering
Chemical Building
West Campus
No. 2 Linggong Road
Dalian 116024
China

Takeshi Yamaguchi
Tohoku University
Graduate School of Engineering
Aramaki Aza Aoba 6-6-01
Aoba-ku 980-8579
Sendai
Japan

Preface

Spherical and fibrous fillers are added to polymer matrices in order to enhance their mechanical, rheological, calorimetric, thermal, and flammability properties. Large varieties of spherical and fibrous fillers have been reported in the literature to achieve such enhanced properties. Uniform dispersion and distribution of fillers in polymer matrices are required for efficient performance, which depends on the processing conditions and composite constituents. This volume brings together a number of composite systems using different polymer matrices, different filler systems, and different processing conditions. Thus, it serves as a beneficial guide to the readers to select a particular set of processing conditions or composite constituents in order to enhance a particular set of properties. The volume also presents examples of micro- and macrocomposites along with their importance in different applications.

Chapter 1 outlines the synthetic methods for the generation of nanoparticles and fibrous nanomaterials along with the effect of size and dispersion of nanoparticles in polymer matrices on the nanocomposite thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties. In addition, various applications of nanoparticle- and fiber-reinforced polymer nanocomposites such as coatings, microelectronics, and biomedical applications have been summarized. Chapter 2 provides details on the fabrication and surface characterization of spherical fly ash particles, which are used to reinforce epoxy resins. Chapter 3 reports the fabrication of polyamide/carbon fiber composites. The effect of the carbon fiber and toughened elastomers on the mechanical properties, crystallization behavior, morphology, crystal structure, and thermal stability has been quantified. Chapter 4 introduces natural-fiber-reinforced composites (NFCs) and discusses up-to-date research advancements in the development and characterization of NFCs. The benefits and challenges to the development and applications of lignocellulose-derived fillers are discussed in addition to their complete physicochemical characteristics including chemical compositions, thermal and mechanical properties, and response to surface treatment and modifications. More specifically, Chapter 5 describes natural-fiber-reinforced epoxy and USP resin composites. Chapter 6 focuses on the influence of surface treatment of fillers on the mechanical, surface, and water sorption behavior of natural-fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites, whereas the tribological behavior of PA/rice bran and PA/glass bead composites has been detailed in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 describes the routes for waste carbon utilization in thermoset materials. In Chapter 9, coconut-shell-filled recycled epoxy composites are described. Two set of composites were produced using coconut shell flour particles (CSF) and coconut shell ash particles (CSA). In Chapter 10, composites of date seed powder (DSP) with biopolyesters poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly-l-lactide (PLA) have been demonstrated.

Abu Dhabi
November 2015

Vikas Mittal