Hybrid Polymer Composite Materials

Processing

Vijay Kumar Thakur, Manju Kumari Thakur, Raju Kumar Gupta

• Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9780081007891
• eBook ISBN: 9780081007907
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Materials Science
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Hybrid Polymer Composite Materials: Processing presents the latest on these composite materials that can best be described as materials that are comprised of synthetic polymers and biological/inorganic/organic derived constituents. The combination of unique properties that emerge as a consequence of the particular arrangement and interactions between the different constituents provides immense opportunities for advanced material technologies.This series of four volumes brings an interdisciplinary effort to accomplish a more detailed understanding of the interplay between synthesis, structure, characterization, processing, applications, and performance of these advanced materials, with this volume focusing on their processing.- Provides a clear understanding of the present state-of-the-art and the growing utility of hybrid polymer composite materials- Includes contributions from world renowned experts and discusses the combination of different kinds of materials procured from diverse resources- Discusses their synthesis, chemistry, processing, fundamental properties, and applications- Provides insights on the potential of hybrid polymer composite materials for advanced applications

1

Processing of hybrid polymer composites—a review

Mohammad Asim¹, Mohammad Jawaid^1,2, Naheed Saba¹, Ramengmawii¹, Mohammad Nasir³ and Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan⁴, ¹Laboratory of Biocomposite Technology, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, ²Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ³School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia, ⁴Aerospace Manufacturing Research Centre, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites are important in various fields from household articles to automobiles. Natural and synthetic fibers have low cost, light weight, and have high specific and mechanical strength. Natural fibers have limitations in different applications due to moisture absorption and low thermal stability. The moisture content creates a hurdle for fiber/resin good bonding in composites. Fiber treatment helps to reduce moisture content and enhance interfacial bonding between fibers and matrix. Hybrid composites are a mixture of two different types of fiber that are reinforced in one polymer or vice versa. It shows unique properties that are difficult to achieve from one type of fiber-reinforced polymer composite. Selection of polymer with fibers should always be considered because polymers play a very important role of compatibility with fibers and in the strength of hybrid composites. Different types of polymers need different kinds of manufacturing processes for fabrication of hybrid composites. Thermoset manufacturing techniques of composites consist of a hand lay-up method, compression molding technique, and a pultrusion process. Hand lay-up and compression molding techniques are widely accepted in producing hybrid composites. These techniques are common in both thermosets and thermoplastics polymers. Fiber-reinforced hybrid composites have been emerging widely as potential materials for fabrication of composites for different applications. Using such well-characterized processing techniques and modification methods help to achieve desirable qualities in products.

Keywords

Thermosets; thermoplastics; natural fibers; synthetic fibers; processing techniques; hybrid composites

Chapter Outline

1.1 Introduction 2

1.2 Fibers 3

1.2.1 Natural fibers 3

1.2.2 Synthetic fiber 5

1.3 Polymer 6

1.3.1 Thermoset 6

1.3.2 Thermoplastic 6

1.4 Polymer composites 7

1.5 Hybrid composites 8

1.6 Parameters of processing methods 9

1.6.1 Pultrusion 9

1.6.2 Filament winding 9

1.6.3 Hand lay-up 9

1.6.4 Resin transfer molding 10

1.6.5 Vacuum bagging 10

1.6.6 Compression molding 10

1.6.7 Injection molding 11

1.7 Advantage and disadvantage of processing methods 11

1.7.1 Resin transfer molding (RTM) 11

1.7.2 Compression molding 11

1.7.3 Injection molding 12

1.7.4 Hand lay-up 12

1.7.5 Common disadvantage of natural fiber composites 12

1.8 Applications 13

1.8.1 Application of hybrid polymer composites 13

1.8.2 Application of each processing method 13

1.9 Conclusion 15

References 15

1.1 Introduction

The final cost and process of construction materials are rising every year due to a scarcity of unprocessed materials and the high cost of energy. Alternative constituents in wood materials for construction and nondegradable materials are now a global concern for energy saving, conservation of natural resources, and eco-systems. Worldwide efforts are being made to achieve sustainable economic growth and development of high-performance products with good properties [1]. A global shortage of solid wood materials due to environmental concerns are promoting consumption of fibrous materials; an improvement of composites and other various materials are also being considered [2,3]. Environmental pollution and shortage of energy resources are global challenges for finding substitute sources of renewable and sustainable biomass energy resources. Lignocellulosic materials are the most suitable and abundant bioresource in the world with annual production reaching up to 170–200 billion tons [4]. Due to its light weight and eco-friendly nature, natural fiber composites are the center of attraction for industries over traditional composites [5]. There are many sources of natural fibers like plant fibers, animal fibers, fruit fibers, and stalk fibers. Natural fibers, as a cemented material, have been used for several decades in many countries [6]. These natural fibers are now a major component in making of bio-composite materials like boards, paper, and many structures [7]. Nowadays, polymer technology is considered to be an advanced technology that is used because of environmental concerns; it is easy to process and is ideal for recycling products [8]. Polymers have unique characteristics (thermoset and thermoplastic) that make them compatibile with materials in all conditions such as various temperatures, varying densities, mechanical, and physical and thermal properties [9]. These polymers are very reliable and suitable for reinforcement with natural and synthetic (glass fiber, carbon, and aramid) fibers. These polymer composites are not used as component of automobiles, ships, and structural applications, but they do provide desirable properties such as high-strength to weight ratio, ease of fabrication, complex shapes, low cost, and good resistance to corrosion and marine fouling [10,11]. Synthetic fiber-reinforced composites are not degradable due to its high molecular mass and hydrophobic character, while natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites are hydrophilic low molecular mass products. Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites have some disadvantages such as low strength, poor interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix, and moisture uptake compared to artificial fiber-reinforced composites. For long-term performance, natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites are very responsive to moisture absorption, and it affects fiber/matrix bonding [12]. Surface treatment of natural fibers is a method to reduce its hydrophilic character and enhance adhesive property of fiber/matrix. Chemical treatments change natural fiber’s surface morphology and eliminate some unwanted chemicals that attract to hydroxyl groups, a hurdle in fiber/matrix bonding [13,14]. Mechanical properties of treated fiber polymer composites and hybrid composites improved strength [15] over untreated fiber composites [16,17]. Various types of manufacturing processes for natural fiber-reinforced composites have been invented. Specifications for polymers and fibers are a deciding factor for the manufacturing process. Advance technologies, manufacturing processes, and innovative researches are used to get the high-strength engineering composites related to new applications area [18]. There is an increasing demand from many industries, such as automotive, building and construction, electrical and electronic industries, to promote natural fiber polymer composites thereby leading to a very competitive market [19,20].

1.2 Fibers

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites are attractive for advanced technologies because of their various advantages over conventional fibers. These advantages include low density, acceptable specific strength, less wear during processing, low cost, low energy, renewability, and biodegradability.

Synthetic composite materials such as aramid, carbon, and glass fiber-reinforced plastics, dominate the aerospace, leisure, automobile, construction, and sporting industries. Synthetic fibers are the most widely accepted reinforcement material due to their low cost and fairly good mechanical properties.

1.2.1 Natural fibers

The mainstream of the world’s energy is provided by natural resources like petrochemical sources, coal, and natural gases. All of these energy sources and its products are finite [4] and uncertain, which necessitate replacing them with easily available raw materials and cheap sustainability. Currently, several types of natural fibers reinforced in thermoset and thermoplastic polymers have revealed several advantages: renewable resources which...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• List of Contributors
• 1. Processing of hybrid polymer composites—a review
• 2. Bio-based hybrid polymer composites: A sustainable high performance material
• 3. Water soluble polymer based hybrid nanocomposites
• 4. Dynamic fabrication of amylosic supramolecular composites in an enzymatic polymerization field
• 5. Advanced composites with strengthened nanostructured interface
• 6. Hybrid ceramic/polymer composites for bone tissue regeneration
• 7. Natural and synthetic fillers for reaching high performance and sustainable hybrid polymer composites
• 8. Synthesis of conducting polymer/carbon material composites and their application in electrical energy storage
• 9. Electrochemical behaviour of graphene and carbon nanotubes based hybrid polymer composites
• 10. Processing of ferroelectric polymer composites
• 11. Polymer–carbon nanotubes composites obtained via radical polymerization in water-dispersed media
• 12. Temperature effect in polyurethane/graphene/PMMA nanocomposites using quantum mechanics and Monte Carlo for design of new materials
• 13. Polymeric thin film composite membrane for CO2 separation
• Index