0000000000203434
AUTHOR
Scalici Tommaso
Improving the mechanical properties of unidirectional flax fabrics reinforced epoxy composites by sodium bicarbonate treatment
Despite their beneficial effects on the adhesion between natural fibers and polymeric matrices, chemical pretreatments have become less attractive since they are expensive and harmful to environment. The present paper deals with the effect of an eco-friendly and cost effective treatment, based on the use of a sodium bicarbonate solution, on the mechanical performances of flax reinforced epoxy composites. Materials and methods: A commercial epoxy resin and unidirectional flax fabrics (190 g/m2 areal density) were used as matrix and reinforcement, respectively. The fabrics were soaked in 5 and 10 wt% solutions of sodium bicarbonate for 5 days at 25°C, then dried at 105°C for 1 day. By using u…
Effect of accelerated ageing on the mechanical behaviour of basalt/hemp hybrid composites
The remarkable concerns related to environmental pollution have triggered a lot of studies aimed at decreasing the environmental impact of polymer composites. A possible way to achieve this goal is the replacement of glass fibres with natural ones. In particular, lignocellulosic fibres are of considerable interest because they are renewable resources and are characterized by low cost, low density, thermal and acoustic insulation, biodegradability and recyclability. Despite these favourable attributes, cellulosic fibre reinforced composites do not provide mechanical properties comparable with those of glass fibre composites and, most importantly, their susceptibility to moisture absorption c…