Effects of Intrinsic Mechanical Characteristics of Lignocellulosic Fibres on the Energy Absorption and Impact Rupture Stress of Low Density Polyethylene Biocomposites

ABSTRACT

Proper assessments of the role of various natural fibres in green composites are very significant to predict their behaviour in different conditions leading to optimise the use of green composites in more functional green products. This work has systematically investigated the effect of various lignocellulosic fibre types, fibre contents, and fibre intrinsic mechanical characteristics on the energy absorption capability and the corresponding rupture stress behaviour of low-density polyethylene-based composites. This was carried out to reveal more reliable behaviour trends during the impact process. The intrinsic mechanical properties of Mediterranean lemon, olive, and fig leaf fibres were considered including the tensile strength, density, modulus of elasticity, elongation to break, and the interfacial shear between the fibre and the matrix. The roles of the individual intrinsic mechanical properties of fibres were illustrated while comparing their effects at both energy absorptions and impact rupture stresses of the composites at various fibre loading. Results have revealed that olive fibres was capable of enhancing the energy absorbed as well as the impact ruptures stress. The elongation to break property was also found among the critical intrinsic mechanical characteristics in enhancing the energy absorption during impact. Non-linear trends were revealed for both the energy absorption and impact rupture stress of the green composites.

KEYWORDS:

• Impact behaviour
• lignocellulosic fibres
• energy absorption
• natural fibres
• biocomposites
• performance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Faris M. AL-Oqla

Dr. Faris M. AL-Oqla, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The Hashemite University (HU), Jordan. He has been involved in dozens of research projects funded by various institutions and his research has been recognized worldwide especially in the area of bio-composites, biomaterials, Nano and sustainable materials. Dr. AL-Oqla has been listed in the World's Top 2% Scientists published by Stanford University, Elsevier and SciTech Strategies, 2020. Dr. AL-Oqla contribution to his research field is revealed by his publications. To date he has authored more than 100 publications including 25 chapters in book, an authored book published in Elsevier 2017, and one edited book in Elsevier 2020. Dr. AL-Oqla has established novel tools, techniques and methodologies to evaluate biomaterials (including Moisture Content Criterion (MCC),  Combined Multi-criteria Evaluation Stage Technique, as well as others) that can be implemented in natural fiber composite selection to expand the sustainable design possibilities, as well as supporting the cleaner production needs for the near future.