Properties of Arenga Engleri Becc Palm Fiber Particles with Silane Coupling Agent KH570 Treatments for Application in Polymer/cement Composites

ABSTRACT

The chemical modification of natural palm fibers with an alkali treatment and the silane coupling agent KH570 were studied to determine the superior mechanical performance and solid engineering application properties of natural fiber/polymer/cement composites. These kinds of natural plant fibers can be easily obtained in China. The characterization of the fibers and composites were performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, mechanical property testing, water absorption testing, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that chemical modifications can remove part of the cellulose, hemicellulose, and impurities in the fibers. In addition, the functional groups were confirmed to be grafted onto the fibers, which may cause the fibers to be more compatible with the matrix. Among the fibers studied, the 2 + 5/3% sample (treated first with 2% alkali, then with the 5% silane coupling agent, and subsequently mixed into the system of 3% cement and polymer emulsion) showed a tensile strength of 2.12 MPa, a tensile elongation of 155.114%, and water absorption of 19.65%.

通过对天然棕榈纤维碱处理化学改性和硅烷偶联剂KH570的研究, 确定了天然纤维/聚合物/水泥复合材料优越的力学性能和固体工程应用性能。这些天然植物纤维在中国很容易获得。采用傅里叶变换红外光谱, 热重分析, 力学性能测试, 吸水率测试和扫描电镜对纤维及其复合材料进行表征。结果表明, 化学改性可以去除纤维中的部分纤维素, 半纤维素和杂质。此外, 纤维上还接枝了官能团, 这可能使纤维与基体更加相容。研究纤维中, 2+5/3%试样 (先用2%碱处理, 再用5%硅烷偶联剂处理, 再加入3%水泥-聚合物乳液体系) 的抗拉强度为2.12 MPa, 拉伸伸长率为155.114%, 吸水率为19.65%。

KEYWORDS:

• Properties
• composites
• natural fiber
• chemical modification

Disclosure statment

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Key R&D and Promotion Project of Henan Province (No. 192102310498); the Major Special Science and Technology Project of Henan Province (No. 181100310300); the National Science and Technology Major Project (No. 2017ZX07602-003-002); and the Key Scientific Research Project Plan of Colleges and Universities in Henan Province (No. 19B180012)