PHB coating on jute fibers and its effect on natural fiber composites performance

GASTÓN FRANCUCCI; EXEQUIEL S. RODRIGUEZ

JOURNAL OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS

SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD

Lugar: London; Año: 2016 vol. 50 p. 2047 - 2058

0021-9983

In this work, a novel treatment on plant fibers is presented and its effect on the mechanical properties and water absorption of vinyl ester matrix composites is analyzed. The treated fibers used in this study consisted in alkaline-treatedjute fibers and alkaline-treated jute fibers coated with polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). Bending tests and IZOD impact tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical performance of the composites. The samples were immersed in water (atroom temperature and at 80C) and the water sorption and flexural modulus were measured in time. Flexural strength and impact energy were measured on dry specimens and the detrimental effect of water on those properties wasevaluated by testing the samples after the immersion tests. The composites manufactured with alkali-treated fibers coated with PHB showed the best performance in terms of water absorption and mechanical properties.