Introduction
at least two different components, clearly separated one from another and uniformly filling its volume, produced in
fiber
Introduction (2)
Lignocellulosic natural fibres are an excellent raw materials for production of wide range of composites for different applications. The interest in using natural fiber such as different plant fiber as reinforcement in polymers increased during last years.
coconut
hardwood softwood
wheat oat barley rice bamboo bagasse reed corn rape rye esparto elephant grass cannary grass
They are widely used for different applications as constructions, furnishings and transportation
Building industry
Marboleum
Wheel shield
Roof
Sun shields
Upholstery, Door covering (racks), cover, electronic device
The use of lignocellulosic materials in the form of fibres or particles results not only in a considerable increase in biodegradability of a composite but also changes its properties, including flame retardancy characteristic.
They are environmentally friendly materials at the stage of production, processing and waste.
Environmentally friendly production of natural vegetable fibers - annual renewability and lower energy inputs in production per unit. Commonly known processing methods.
Properties comparable to those of materials reinforced with glass fiber. Better elasticity of polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers, especially when modified with crushed fibers, embroidered and 3-D weaved fibers.
They display acoustic insulation and absorb vibrations and large quantities of energy when subjected to destruction.
Lower density of polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers than those reinforced with glass fiber. The price of polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers is from two to three times lower than that of polymers reinforced with glass fiber. Natural vegetable fibers can be applied to the reinforcement of the natural polymers such as starch, lignin, hemicellulose and India-rubber and the material obtained in this way is 100% biodegradable.
Reaction to fire of composites based on lignocellulosic fibres is much more beneficial comparing to polymers significant reduction of heat release rate
Polymers
thermosetting plastics thermoplastics rubber& natural polymers
These modern composites can be manufactured by classical methods such as extrusion and vacuum molding but also by pultrusion. They will be used in new lighter constructions and air transport. The composites will show other features like current conductivity and surface self cleaning.
Modification Methods
Physical:
Physico-chemical:
Mercerization, Acetylation
Modification Methods
In Sweden, a continous process of acetylation has been developed. The pilot plant for wood fibre or particles acetylation of capacity 500 kg/h is jointly owned by A-Cell and GEA Evaporation Technology AB, and located in Kvarntorp.
O O
cellulose fiber
C H2 C H C
C O C O
C H2 + C H C H2O
cellulose fiber
OH OH
C + O
C H2 C H C
O O O H O H C C O C H2 C H C
esterification of cellulose
(R1O)3 Si R2 X where R1O hydrolyzable alkoxy group, and X- functional organic group
TESTING METHOD
Cone calorimeter method - Standard ISO 5660
The composite materials were tested in an ATLAS cone calorimeter to obtain their heat release rate (HRR) and smoke evolution characteristic. Conditions of the test:
specimen position: horizontal heat flux: 35 kW/m2 spark igniter was used
scan: 5 s
Total Heat Released (THR) [MJ/m2] Effective Heat of Combustion (HOC) [MJ/kg]
Average HOC during full time of test
[g/m2s] [m2/kg]
Average MLR, taken for scans after 10% of total mass loss and before 90% of total mass loss has occurred Average SEA during full time of test
[kg/kg]
Average CO and CO2 yield, taken for scans after 10% of total mass loss and before 90% of total mass loss has occurred
* Predicted values of these parameters are displayed during test on the screen
150 120 90 60 30 0
100
cotton hemp
300
abaca flax
HRR [kW/m2 ]
2 HRR [kW/m ]
time [s]
200
300
abaca flax
curaua cabuya
HRR [kW/m2 ]
1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 0 30 60 90 120 Time [s] 150 180
PP PE PLA
210
240
Materials
Isotactic polypropylene (PP) Malen F-401; density 0,9g/cm3; MFI index 2,4-3,2g/10min and tacticity 95% Natural fibers unmodified flax fibers, length 24 mm Hemp and flax shives unmodified and FR modified 1-2 mm 30%
HRR [kW/m2]
Mass loss rate [MLR] of Lignocellulosic- Polymer Composites Polypropylene - Flax Fibres Composites comparison with PP
MLR [g/s*m2]
300
360
420
480
Flammability of Lignocellulosic- Polymer Composites Polypropylene - Flax Fibres Composites comparison with PP
Smoke production as extinction coefficient (EC) of Polypropylene - Flax Fibres Composites comparison with PP
5 4,5 4 3,5
PP pure PP+flax fibers 7,5% PP+Flax fibes 12,5% PP+Flax fibers 20% PP+ flax fibers 30%
EC (1/m)
3 2,5 2 1,5 1 0,5 0 0 60 120 180 240 300 360 Time (s) 420 480 540 600
Comparison of heat release rate (HRR) composites based on PP and different plant fibres (content 30% by weight) in acc. Cone Calorimeter test ISO 5660 at heat flux of 35 kW/m2
1500 1350 1200 1050 PP PP + Flax PP + Hemp PP + Jute PP + Coconut
HRR [kW/m2]
900 750 600 450 300 150 0 0 60 120 180 240 300 Time [s] 360 420 480 540 600
Comparison of heat release rate (HRR) composites based on PP and different and FR protected Flax and Hemp Shives
PP PP-Hemp 30%
HRR [kW/m2]
PP-FRHemp30%
800
100
100
200 300
700
Time [s]
Comparison of IT, Total HR, Ave HOC, Ave MLR, composites based on PP and different and FR protected Flax and Hemp Shives in acc. Cone Calorimeter test ISO 5660 at heat flux of 35 kW/m2
250 200 150 100 50 0 IT [s] Total HR [MJ/m2] Aver HOC [MJ/kg] Ave MLR [g/ms2] PP PP-hemp 30% PP-FR hemp 30%
250 200 150 100 50 0 IT [s] Total HR [MJ/m2] Aver HOC [MJ/kg] Ave MLR [g/ms2] PP PP-flax 30% PP-FR flax 30%
Materials: Polyethylene (low density Malen E GGNX 23DO22) PKN Orlen in Plock, Poland Short flax fibers (2-3m) 10%, 15 % by weight
Flame Retardancy of Polyethylene - Flax Fibres Composites comparison with PE in acc. Cone Calorimeter test ISO 5660 at heat flux of 35 kW/m2
1200 800 400 0 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 390 Time [s]
Comparison of IT, Total HR, Ave HOC Polyethylene Flax Fibres Composites with PE
120
Time to ignition
36
45 44 43
THR [MJ/m2]
HOC [MJ/kg]
Flame Retardancy of Poly(lactic acid) PLA Flax, Hemp Fibres Composites comparison with PLA
Materials
PLA Hycail HM 1010 Unmodified flax and hemp fibers, length 1-3 mm, 10% by weight Flax and hemp fibers after mercerization process, length 1-3 mm, 10% by weight Acetylated flax fibers, length 1-3 mm, 10% by weight
Comparison of heat release rate (HRR) from composites based on PLA Resin with hemp fiber and chemical modyfication hemp fiber
in acc. Cone Calorimeter test ISO 5660 at heat flux of 35 kW/m2
600
500 400 300 200 100 0 0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 Time [s] PLA PLA+Hemp PLA+Hemp Mercer PLA+Hemp Acetyl
Comparison of heat release rate (HRR) from composites based on PLA Resin with flax fiber and acetylation flax fiber
600
500 400 300 200 100 0 0 40 80 120 160 Time [s] 200
240
280
Conclusions
1. Nowadays a lot of attention is paid to environmentally-friendly materials. This resulted in growing interest in natural lignocellulosic materials and composites based on them.
2. Lignocellulosic Composites are much more safety during fire than man-made polymers because of lack of dangerous melting and less toxic gases and smoke production.
3. Interesting
results were obtained while studying pure PP, PE and that with an admixture of flax, hemp, fibres and shives.
Heat release rate HRR and mass loss rate MLR curves show that thermal decomposition and combustion of the mentioned samples occur in a different way. The addition of fibres, specially in amount above 20% resulted in an increase in flame retardancy of composite compared to PP, PE alone.