Effect of content and surface modification of fique fibers on the properties of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE)-al/fique composite

This work presents the physical-thermal and mechanical characterization of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE)-Al matrix composite material that was obtained from reinforcing recycled (post-consumer) long-life Tetra Pak packages with fique natural fibers from southwestern Colombia. The fique was subjected to three chemical treatments to modify its surface (alkalinization, silanization and pre-impregnation with polyethylene) to increase the quality of its interfaces. Additionally, panels with 10%, 20%, and 30% v/v of fiber were manufactured by the hot compression molding. The mechanical properties of the different composite materials showed that the preimpregnation treatment promoted a significant increase in the tensile and flexural properties with respect to the fiber-reinforced composite without surface modification. Additionally, in materials with 30% fibers that were treated with pre-impregnation, there was a decrease in the water absorption capacity of 53.15% when compared to composites made with 30% native fibers. Finally, increases in the fiber content mainly caused better mechanical performances, which increased as a direct function of the amount of fique incorporated

• Autores: Muñoz-Vélez, Mario F.; Mina Hernández, José Herminsul; Hidalgo Salazar, Miguel Ángel
• Tipo de recurso: Article of journal
• Fecha de publicación: 2018
• Institución: Universidad Autónoma de Occidente
• Repositorio: RED: Repositorio Educativo Digital UAO
• Idioma: eng
• OAI Identifier: oai:red.uao.edu.co:10614/13444
• Acceso en línea: https://hdl.handle.net/10614/13444
• Palabra clave: Materiales compuestos; Composite materials; Composite; LDPE; Natural fibers; Physico-mechanical properties; Thermal properties; Surface modification
• Rights: openAccess
• License: Derechos Reservados Polymers