Performance Evaluation of Novel Biobased Thermoplastic Composites Reinforced with different plies of Hemp Fabrics
Topic(s) : Material science
Co-authors :
Vito GIGANTE (ITALY), Laura ALIOTTA (ITALY), Bianca DAL PONT , Pietro RUSSO (ITALY), Jessica PASSARO (ITALY), Andrea LAZZERIAbstract :
The growing emphasis on sustainability has driven both academic and industrial sectors to explore the adoption of biobased renewable resources for composite material production. This imperative extends beyond environmental concerns to encompass technological advancements.
Sustainable biocomposites, featuring biobased and/or biodegradable thermoplastic matrices coupled with natural fibers, emerge as promising alternatives to current fossil-based composites. Their notable specific strength, stiffness, and lightweight properties make them well-suited for a wide array of applications.
This study aims to investigate the performance of innovative biobased thermoplastic composites reinforced with varying amounts of twill hemp fabrics. While many bioplastics exhibit drawbacks such as poor moisture resistance, low thermal resistance, excessive brittleness, fiber/matrix incompatibility, and flammability, the use of biopolymeric blends as matrices for fabric-based laminated composites offers a feasible alternative.
In this context, a poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) blend containing 60 wt.% of PLA and 40 wt.% of PBSA has been developed as biobased matrix in this study, with hemp fabrics selected as reinforcing agents.
The process involves optimizing extrusion compounding parameters through 1D simulation software before actual extrusion. Films of 150 microns are obtained through a cast extrusion system, and these plastic films are stacked alternately with layers of hemp reinforcing fabric, undergoing a final hot-compaction process. with the number of hemp plies varied (from 2 to 6).
The good adhesion between the various layers, through the composites thickness, have been noticed through optical microscope and SEM analysis; no voids are present through the composites thickness and the different hemp twill fabric are well embedded to the polymeric matrix.
Tensile, flexural, impact, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) tests are conducted to analyze the effects of different volume fiber content. Increasing the fiber volume fraction (from 30 wt.% to 50wt. %) results in improvements in mechanical, flexural, impact, and HDT properties. Simple analytical models, such as ROM and Halpin-Tsai, are applied to predict tensile and flexural properties, highlighting the importance of fiber orientation.
To compare results with existing composites reinforced with hemp fabrics, a “merit index analysis” has been constructed to evaluate the efficiency of these new composites in terms of stiffness and lightweight. The merit index indicates encouraging stiffness values relative to the lightweight nature of the laminates, even when compared to typical fossil-based thermoplastic composites.
The excellent mechanical properties open possibilities for the application of these laminated composites in high-performance scenarios, contributing to the advancement of sustainable materials across various industries.
Sustainable biocomposites, featuring biobased and/or biodegradable thermoplastic matrices coupled with natural fibers, emerge as promising alternatives to current fossil-based composites. Their notable specific strength, stiffness, and lightweight properties make them well-suited for a wide array of applications.
This study aims to investigate the performance of innovative biobased thermoplastic composites reinforced with varying amounts of twill hemp fabrics. While many bioplastics exhibit drawbacks such as poor moisture resistance, low thermal resistance, excessive brittleness, fiber/matrix incompatibility, and flammability, the use of biopolymeric blends as matrices for fabric-based laminated composites offers a feasible alternative.
In this context, a poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) blend containing 60 wt.% of PLA and 40 wt.% of PBSA has been developed as biobased matrix in this study, with hemp fabrics selected as reinforcing agents.
The process involves optimizing extrusion compounding parameters through 1D simulation software before actual extrusion. Films of 150 microns are obtained through a cast extrusion system, and these plastic films are stacked alternately with layers of hemp reinforcing fabric, undergoing a final hot-compaction process. with the number of hemp plies varied (from 2 to 6).
The good adhesion between the various layers, through the composites thickness, have been noticed through optical microscope and SEM analysis; no voids are present through the composites thickness and the different hemp twill fabric are well embedded to the polymeric matrix.
Tensile, flexural, impact, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) tests are conducted to analyze the effects of different volume fiber content. Increasing the fiber volume fraction (from 30 wt.% to 50wt. %) results in improvements in mechanical, flexural, impact, and HDT properties. Simple analytical models, such as ROM and Halpin-Tsai, are applied to predict tensile and flexural properties, highlighting the importance of fiber orientation.
To compare results with existing composites reinforced with hemp fabrics, a “merit index analysis” has been constructed to evaluate the efficiency of these new composites in terms of stiffness and lightweight. The merit index indicates encouraging stiffness values relative to the lightweight nature of the laminates, even when compared to typical fossil-based thermoplastic composites.
The excellent mechanical properties open possibilities for the application of these laminated composites in high-performance scenarios, contributing to the advancement of sustainable materials across various industries.