Animal fiber characterization and fiber loading effect on mechanical behaviors of sheep wool fiber reinforced polyester composites

ABSTRACT

This study presents animal fiber characterization and the influence of various fiber loadings on mechanical properties of sheep hair fiber-reinforced polymer (SHFRP) composites. The sheep hair fibers (SHF) characterization was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and non-contact surface roughness machine. The functional group and chemical bond were analyzed using FTIR techniques. The crystallinity index and thermal stability of the SHF were characterized, using XRD and TGA techniques, respectively. The composites were fabricated using a compression molding technique and a varying weight percentage of 20, 30 and 40 fiber. The composite plates were cut into test samples according to ASTM standard methods for their mechanical (tensile, flexural and impact) behaviors to be extensively analyzed. The surface morphology of the fractured samples was examined with aid of an SEM. From the results obtained, it was evident that the SHFRP composite recorded a significantly increased tensile strength property when fiber loading was increased from 20 to 40 wt%. The optimum 40 wt% SHFRP composite sample recorded better flexural and impact strength, when compared with other counterparts. This was attributed to a better fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion, as established fromSEM micrographs.

摘要

研究了动物纤维的特性以及不同纤维负荷对绵羊毛纤维增强聚合物（SHFRP）复合材料力学性能的影响. 采用X射线衍射（XRD）、傅立叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）、热重分析（TGA）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和非接触表面粗糙度仪对绵羊毛纤维（SHF）进行了表征. 利用FTIR技术对其官能团和化学键进行了分析. 利用XRD和TGA技术分别对SHF的结晶度指数和热稳定性进行了表征. 复合材料是用压缩成型技术和不同重量百分比的20，30和40纤维制成的. 根据ASTM标准方法将复合板切割成试样，对其力学性能（拉伸、弯曲和冲击）进行广泛分析. 用扫描电镜观察了断裂试样的表面形貌. 结果表明，当纤维负载量从20%增加到40%时，复合材料的拉伸强度显著提高. 与其他同类材料相比，最佳的40 wt%SHFRP复合材料试样具有更好的弯曲和冲击强度. 这归因于更好的纤维-基体界面粘合，如从扫描电镜显微照片所示.

KEYWORDS:

• Sheep hair fibers (SHF)
• characterization
• XRD
• FTIR
• TGA
• mechanical properties

关键词:

• 绵羊毛纤维
• 特征化
• 机械性能

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the International Research Centre, Centre for Composite Materials, and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, India. The King Saud University authors acknowledge the funding from Researchers Supporting Project (RSP-2020/54), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Data availability

The raw/processed data required to reproduce these findings cannot be shared at this time as the data also form part of an ongoing study.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Researchers Supporting Project (RSP-2020/54), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.