Effect of Modification of Flax Fibers with Silanes and Polysiloxanes on the Properties of PLA-Based Composites

ABSTRACT

Natural fibers can be an effective filling of composites and improve their properties. The aim and novelty of the research was to investigate the effect of modifying natural fibers with silanes and, especially synthesized, polysiloxanes with various functional groups in combination with alkali treatment on the properties of composites based on polylactic acid. For this purpose, composites with a 20% content of flax fibers were produced. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) tests of the composites showed that the modification of the fibers had a positive effect on the adhesion to the polymer. Their thermal stability (TGA) was slightly improved by the addition of modified fibers, especially by polysiloxane with long alkyl chain. Flammability (PCFC) of composites was also improved up to 36% HRR reduction for mercerized fibers. The mechanical properties of the composites were tested on the basis of a tensile test. It has been shown that properly modified flax fibers can be a good filling for biocomposites, and especially synthesized polysiloxanes used to modify can be more effective than silanes.

摘要

天然纤维可以作为复合材料的有效填充物，改善其性能. 本研究的目的和新颖性是研究硅烷改性天然纤维，特别是合成的具有各种官能团的聚硅氧烷与碱处理相结合对聚乳酸复合材料性能的影响. 为此，生产了亚麻纤维含量为20%的复合材料. 扫描电子显微镜（SEM）测试表明，纤维的改性对聚合物的粘附性有积极影响. 改性纤维的加入，特别是长烷基聚硅氧烷的加入，使其热稳定性略有提高. 复合材料的燃烧性（PCFC）也得到了改善，丝光纤维的HRR降低了36%. 在拉伸试验的基础上测试了复合材料的力学性能. 研究表明，适当改性的亚麻纤维可以很好地填充生物复合材料，尤其是用于改性的合成聚硅氧烷比硅烷更有效.

KEYWORDS:

• Natural fibers
• modification
• polysiloxane
• silanization
• flammability
• thermal stability
• scanning electron microscopy
• polylactide acid
• composites
• tensile strength

关键词:

• 天然纤维
• 修改;聚硅氧烷
• 硅烷化
• 可燃性
• 热稳定性
• 扫描电子显微镜
• 聚乳酸
• 复合材料
• 抗拉强度

Disclosure statement

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

Author contributions

The manuscript was written through contributions of all authors. All authors have given approval to the final version of the manuscript.

Consent

All participants in the manuscript consent to publish.

Ethical approval

I confirm that all the research meets ethical guidelines and adheres to the legal requirements of the study country.