Interface Engineering of Natural Fibre Composites for Maximum Performance

One of the major reasons for composite failure is a breakdown of the bond between the reinforcement fibres and the matrix. When this happens, the composite loses strength and fails. By engineering the interface between the natural fibres and the matrix, the properties of the composite can be manipulated to give maximum performance. Interface engineering of natural fibre composites for maximum performance looks at natural (sustainable) fibre composites and the growing trend towards their use as reinforcements in composites.

Part one focuses on processing and surface treatments to engineer the interface in natural fibre composites and looks in detail at modifying cellulose fibre surfaces in the manufacture of natural fibre composites, interface tuning through matrix modification and preparation of cellulose nanocomposites. It also looks at the characterisation of fibre surface treatments by infrared and raman spectroscopy and the effects of processing and surface treatment on the interfacial adhesion and mechanical properties of natural fibre composites. Testing interfacial properties in natural fibre composites is the topic of part two which discusses the electrochemical characterisation of the interfacial properties of natural fibres, assesses the mechanical and thermochemical properties and moisture uptake behaviour of natural fibres and studies the fatigue and delamination of natural fibre composites before finishing with a look at Raman spectroscopy and x-ray scattering for assessing the interface in natural fibre composites

With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors "Interface engineering of natural fibre composites for maximum performance" is an invaluable resource to composite manufacturers and developers, materials scientists and engineers and anyone involved in designing and formulating composites or in industries that use natural fibre composites.

Key features:

- examines characterisation of fibre surface treatments by infrared and raman spectroscopy and the effects of processing and surface treatment
- reviews testing interfacial properties in natural fibre composites including the electrochemical characterisation of the interfacial properties of natural fibres
- assesses the mechanical and thermochemical properties and moisture uptake behaviour of natural fibres and studies the fatigue and delamination of natural fibre composites
- explores Raman spectroscopy and x-ray scattering for assessing the interface in natural fibre composites SHOW LESS READ MORE >

PART 1: PROCESSING AND SURFACE TREATMENTS TO COMPOSE THE INTERFACE IN NATURAL FIBRE COMPOSITES

Modifying cellulose fiber surfaces in the manufacture of natural fiber composites
A Gandini, University of Aveiro, Portugal and M N Belgacem, Polytechnic Institute of Grenoble, France
- Physical treatments
- Chemical grafting
- Conclusions
- References

Interface engineering through matrix modification in natural fibre composites
N Barkoula and T Peijs, Queen Mary University of London, UK
- Introduction
- Motivation behind using natural fibre composites and trends over the last decades
- Challenges in using natural fibre composites – the issue of adhesion
- Matrix modification – coupling mechanism – efficiency of bonding
- Effect of matrix modification on the interfacial properties
- Effect of matrix modification on the macroscopic properties of natural fibre composites
- Future trends
- Sources of further information and advice
- References

Preparation of cellulose nanocomposites
A Dufresne, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Introduction
- Hierarchical structure of natural fibres
- From micro- to nanoscale
- Preparation of cellulose nanocrystals
- Processing of cellulose nanocomposites
- Properties of cellulose nanocomposites
- Future trends
- References

Characterisation of fiber surface treatments in natural fiber composites by infrared and raman spectroscopy
M A Mosiewicki, N E Marcovich and M I Aranguren, Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), University of Mar del Plata, Argentina
- Introduction
- Methods and techniques
- Analysis of natural fibers and surface treatments
- Chemical treatments
- Interfaces in polymer composites
- Summary
- References

Testing the effect of processing and surface treatment on the interfacial adhesion of single fibres in natural fibre composites
A Arbelaiz, A Retegi and I Mondragon, University of the Basque Country, Spain
- Introduction
- Methods for characterization of single fibre-polymer matrix interfacial adhesion
- Review of lignocellulosic-polymer fibre-matrix interfacial adhesion data
- Conclusions
- References

Assessing fibre surface treatment to improve the mechanical properties of natural fibre composites
K Pickering, Waikato University, New Zealand
- Introduction
- Mechanical testing of fibres
- Statistical treatment of single-fibre strength
- Mechanical properties of untreated single fibres
- Influence of fibre treatment on mechanical properties of natural fibres
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgements
- References

PART 2: TESTING INTERFACIAL PROPERTIES IN NATURAL FIBRE COMPOSITES

Electrokinetic characterisation of interfacial property of natural fibres
K K C Ho and A Bismarck, Imperial College London, UK
- Introduction
- Streaming potential measurements
- Electrokinetic properties of natural fibres
- Conclusion
- References

Mechanical assessment of natural fiber composites
P J Herrera-Franco and A Valadez-González, Yucután Centre of Scientific Investigation, Mexico
- Introduction
- Materials and experimental procedures
- Mechanical testing
- Conclusions
- References

Thermochemical assessment of natural fibre composites
K R Rajisha, CMS College, B Deepa and L A Pothan, Bishop Moore College and S Thomas, Mahatma Gandhi University, India
- Introduction
- Natural fibre composites
- Interfaces in natural fibre composites and their characterization
- Microscopic techniques
- Spectroscopic techniques
- Thermomechanical methods
- Conclusion
- References

Assessing the moisture uptake behaviour of natural fibres
K-Y Lee and A Bismarck, Imperial College London, UK
- Introduction
- Methods of quantifying moisture uptake of natural fibres
- Moisture uptake behaviour of various natural fibres
- Summary
- Acknowledgement
- References

Creep and fatigue of natural fibre composites
M Misra, S S Ahankari and A K Mohanty, University of Guelph, Canada
- Introduction to creep
- Life prediction of natural fibre composites using long term creep analysis
- Stress relaxation
- Fatigue of NFPCs (natural fibres reinforced polymer composites): introduction and beyond
- Factors affecting the fatigue life of natural fibre composites
- Fatigue of wood based composites
- Conclusions
- Acknowledgements
- References

Impact behavior of natural fiber composite laminates
C Scarponi, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
- Introduction
- Phenomenon description
- Testing methods and instruments
- Interpretation of the experimental data
- Non-destructive inspection (NDI) ultrasonic techniques
- Acknowledgements
- References

Raman spectroscopy and x-ray scattering for assessing the interface in natural fibre composites
S J Eichhorn, University of Manchester, UK
- Raman spectroscopy and measurements of molecular deformation in polymer fibres
- X-ray diffraction and stress analysis in fibres and composites
- Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements of molecular and crystal deformation in cellulose fibres
- Discussion
- Conclusions
- References

Dr. Nikolaos E. Zafeiropoulos is Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Ioannina in Greece. He is widely regarded for his research expertise on interfaces in composite materials, the development of novel nanohybrid materials and composite hybrid colloids, and the application of x-ray scattering on polymers.