Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
9795543 | Materials Science and Engineering: A | 2005 | 5 Pages |
Abstract
This study was undertaken to investigate corn gluten meal (CGM) as a biodegradable matrix material for wood fibre reinforced composites. CGM was used alone, as well as hybridized with polypropylene, and reinforced with radiata pine (Pinus Radiata) fibre using a twin-screw extruder followed by injection moulding. Tensile testing, scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were carried out to assess the composites. For composites from CGM and wood fibres, extrusion was carried out with the aid of the following plasticizers: octanoic acid, glycerol, polyethylene glycol and water. Windows of processability for the different plasticizers were obtained for all plasticizers. These were found to lie between 20 and 50Â wt.% of plasticizer with a maximum of approximately 20% wood fibre reinforcement. The best mechanical properties were obtained with a matrix containing 10Â wt.% octanoic acid and 30Â wt.% water, which gave a tensile strength and Young's modulus of 18.7Â MPa and 4Â GPa, respectively. Hybrid matrix composites were compounded with a maleated polypropylene coupling agent and benzoyl peroxide as a cross-linking agent. The highest tensile strength and Young's modulus obtained from hybrid matrix composites were 36.9Â MPa and 5.8Â GPa with 50Â wt.% fibre.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Materials Science
Materials Science (General)
Authors
M.D.H. Beg, K.L. Pickering, S.J. Weal,