Effect of molding condition on tensile properties of hemp fiber reinforced composite

Authors: Takemura, K.; Minekage, Y.

Source: Advanced Composite Materials, Volume 16, Number 4, 2007 , pp. 385-394(10)

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Abstract:

In this study, the effect of molding condition on the tensile properties for plain woven hemp fiber reinforced green composite was examined. The tensile properties of the composite were compared with those of the plain woven jute fiber composite fabricated by the same process. Emulsion type biodegradable resin or polypropylene sheet was used as matrix. The composites were processed by the compression molding where the molding temperature and its heating time were changed from 160 to 190°C and from 15 to 25 min, respectively. The following results were obtained from the experiment. The tensile property of hemp fiber reinforced polypropylene is improved in comparison with polypropylene bulk. The strength of composite is about 2.6 times that of the resin bulk specimen. Hemp fiber is more effective than jute fiber as reinforcement for green composite from the viewpoint of strength. The molding temperature and time are suitable below 180°C and 20 min for hemp fiber reinforced green composite. Hemp fiber green composite has a tendency to decrease its tensile strength when fiber content is over 50 wt%.

Keywords: GREEN COMPOSITE; MOLDING CONDITION; TENSILE PROPERTIES; HEMP FIBER; BIODEGRADABLE RESIN; POLYPROPYLENE

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156855107782325177

Affiliations: 1: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kanagawa University, Yokohama 221-8686, Japan

Publication date: 2007-10-01