Study on the Tensile Strength and Micromechanical Analysis of Alfa Fibers Reinforced High Density Polyethylene Composites

• Published in: Fibers and polymers 2019, 20(3), , pp.602-610
• Main Authors: Salem, Sahar, Oliver-Ortega, Helena, Espinach, Francesc X., Hamed, Karim Ben, Nasri, Nizar, Alcalà, Manel, Mutjé, Pere
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthraquinones; Chemical composition; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cooking; Fiber reinforcement; Fibers; High density polyethylenes; Micromechanics; Morphology; Polyethylene; Polymer matrix composites; Polymer Sciences; Sodium hydroxide; Tensile strength; 섬유공학
• ISSN: 1229-9197; 1875-0052
• DOI: 10.1007/s12221-019-8568-x

In the recent years, there has been a growing interest in eco-friendly composites, based on natural fiber reinforcements. In this work, Alfa fibers were obtained from Alfa grass ( Stipa tenacissima ) through an intensive cooking with sodium hydroxide and anthraquinone. These fibers, with contents ranging from 20 to 50 wt%, were used to reinforce a high density polyethylene. The composites were prepared in a kinetic mixer and later on tensile tested under standard conditions. The results showed that the tensile strength of the composites increased with the amount of fiber in the composite. Aditionally, a morphology and chemical composition analysis of the fibers surface were carried on, in order to further discuss the micromechanics analysis results. The average orientation factor and intrinsic tensile strength of the fibers were also determined during the micromechanics analysis.