Journal of Materials Science

, Volume 51, Issue 17, pp 7907–7917 | Cite as

Scatter in tensile properties of flax fibre bundles: influence of determination and calculation of the cross-sectional area

Original Paper

Abstract

The scatter in tensile properties induced by the determination and calculation method of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of bast fibre bundles is almost as high as the scatter found in the literature. Different methods (light microscopy, high resolution flat-bed scanning, and laser-based fibre dimensional analysis) were applied to exactly the same flax fibre bundles prior to tensile testing, and different approaches for the calculation of the CSA were applied. The CSA method alone is introducing up to 300 % of variation in tensile strength data. These results show that there is a strong need for standards and standardisation of fibre bundle testing. Care has to be taken when comparing results from studies using slightly different methods.

Keywords

Fibre Bundle Hemp Natural Fibre Fibre Axis Median Absolute Deviation 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

Notes

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the Federal Ministry of Education and Research for funding the project “FIBRAGEN—Flax for improved biomaterials through applied genomics” within the funding measure PLANT-KBBE III under the project code 0315911. Our special thanks go to Dr. Thomas Assheuer from Projektträger Jülich PTJ for his excellent support during the whole FIBRAGEN-project. We also acknowledge Yann Leray and Steve Bucknell from DiaStron Ltd. for their support and optimisations within the software. We thank Mr Erik Klebert, B.Sc. for his help with the experiments.

References

  1. 1.
    Reux F, Verpoest I (eds) (2012) Flax and Hemp fibres: a natural solution for the composite industry. First edition, JEC composites prepared for JEC by the European Scientific Committee of the CELC, Paris, France (ISBN 978-2-9526276-1-0), p 215Google Scholar
  2. 2.
    Müssig J, Haag K (2015) 2—The use of flax fibres as reinforcements in composites. In: Faruk O, Sain M (eds) Biofiber Reinforcements in Composite Materials, Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, (ISBN 978-1-78242-122-1), p 35–85Google Scholar
  3. 3.
    Joshi S, Drzal L, Mohanty A, Arora S (2004) Are natural fibre composites environmentally superior to glass fibre reinforced composites? Compos A Appl Sci Manuf 35:371–376CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  4. 4.
    Dicker MP, Duckworth PF, Baker AB, Francois G, Hazzard MK, Weaver PM (2014) Green composites: a review of material attributes and complementary applications. Compos A Appl Sci Manuf 56:280–289CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. 5.
    Baets J, Plastria D, Ivens J, Verpoest I (2014) Determination of the optimal flax fibre preparation for use in unidirectional flax–epoxy composites. J Reinf Plast Compos 33:493–502CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. 6.
    Fischer C (2014) Thin-walled composite structures with improved stiffness and damping properties. Bioplastics Magazine 09:16–17Google Scholar
  7. 7.
    Shah D (2013) Developing plant fibre composites for structural applications by optimising composite parameters: a critical review. J Mater Sci 48:6083–6610. doi: 10.1007/s10853-013-7458-7 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. 8.
    Shah DU, Schubel PJ, Clifford MJ (2013) Can flax replace E-glass in structural composites? A small wind turbine blade case study. Compos B Eng 52:172–181CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  9. 9.
    Baley C (2009) A review of biocomposite development. JEC Compos Mag 46:32–33Google Scholar
  10. 10.
    Bourmaud A, Ausias G, Lebrun G, Tachon ML, Baley C (2013) Observation of the structure of a composite polypropylene/flax and damage mechanisms under stress. Ind Crops Prod 43:225–236CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. 11.
    Müssig J, Fischer H, Graupner N, Drieling A (2010) Testing methods for measuring physical and mechanical fibre properties (plant and animal fibres). In: Müssig J (ed) Industrial applications of natural fibres: structure, properties and technical applications. Wiley, Chichester (ISBN 978-0-470-69501-1), p 269–309Google Scholar
  12. 12.
    Schnegelsberg G (1999) Handbuch der Faser: Theorie und Systematik der Faser. Theorien und Systeme in Technik und Ökonomie; Bd. 1. Deutscher Fachverlag, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (ISBN 3-87150-624-9), p 720. (in German) Google Scholar
  13. 13.
    Virk AS, Hall W, Summerscales J (2010) Failure strain as the key design criterion for fracture of natural fibre composites. Compo Sci Technol 70:995–999CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. 14.
    Pillin I, Kervoelen A, Bourmaud A, Goimard J, Montrelay N, Baley C (2011) Could oleaginous flax fibers be used as reinforcement for polymers? Ind Crops Prod 34:1556–1563CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  15. 15.
    Müssig J, Hughes M (2012) II—Flax reinforcements: fibres. In [1], p 39–60Google Scholar
  16. 16.
    Bos H, van den Oever M, Peters O (2002) Tensile and compressive properties of flax fibres for natural fibre reinforced composites. J Mater Sci 37:1683–1692. doi: 10.1023/A:1014925621252 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  17. 17.
    Bos H (2004) The potential of flax fibres as reinforcement for composite materials. Dissertation, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, The NetherlandsGoogle Scholar
  18. 18.
    Charlet K, Béakou A (2011) Mechanical properties of interfaces within a flax bundle—Part I: experimental analysis. Int J Adhes Adhes 31:875–881CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. 19.
    Charlet K, Béakou A (2011) Mechanical characterization and modelling of interfacial lamella within a flax bundle. Proced Eng 10:906–991CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. 20.
    Charlet K, Jernot JP, Eve S, Gomina M, Bréard J (2010) Multi-scale morphological characterisation of flax: from the stem to the fibrils. Carbohydr Polym 82:54–61CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  21. 21.
    Nechwatal A, Mieck K-P, Reußmann T (2003) Developments in the characterization of natural fibre properties in the use of natural fibres for composites. Compo Sci Technol 63:1273–1279CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  22. 22.
    Stamboulis A, Baillie CA, Garkhail SK, van Melick HGH, Peijs T (2000) Environmental durability of flax fibres and their composites based on polypropylene matrix. Appl Compos Mater 7:273–294CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  23. 23.
    Astley OM, Donald AM (2003) The tensile deformation of flax fibres as studied by X-ray scattering. J Mater Sci 38:165–171. doi: 10.1023/A:1021186421194 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. 24.
    Kulkarni AG, Satyanarayana G, Rohatgi PK, Viayan K (1981) Mechanical behavior of coir fibres under tensile load. J Mater Sci 16(4):905–914. doi: 10.1007/BF00542734 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  25. 25.
    Mukherjee PS, Satyanarayana KG (1984) Structure and properties of some vegetable fibres—Part 1: Sisal fibre. J Mater Sci 19(12):3925–3934. doi: 10.1007/BF00980755 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  26. 26.
    Keryvin V, Lan M, Bourmaud A, Parenteau T, Charleux L, Baley C (2015) Analysis of flax fibres viscoelastic behaviour at micro and nano scales. Compos A Appl Sci Manuf 68:219–225CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  27. 27.
    Guicheret-Retel V, Cisse O, Placet V, Beaugrand J, Pernes M, Boubakar ML (2014) Creep behaviour of single hemp fibres. Part II: influence of loading level, moisture content and moisture variation. J Mater Sci 50:2061–2072. doi: 10.1007/s10853-014-8768-0 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  28. 28.
    Bobeth W (ed) (1993) Textile Faserstoffe—Beschaffenheit und Eigenschaft. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany (ISBN 3-540-55697-4), p 431Google Scholar
  29. 29.
    Placet V, Cisse O, Boubakar ML (2012) Influence of environmental relative humidity on the tensile and rotational behaviour of hemp fibres. J Mater Sci 47:3435–3446. doi: 10.1007/s10853-011-6191-3 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  30. 30.
    Stamboulis A, Baillie C, Peijs T (2001) Effects of environmental conditions on mechanical and physical properties of flax fibers. Compos A Appl Sci Manuf 32:1105–1115CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  31. 31.
    Baley C, Morvan C, Grohens Y (2005) Influence of the absorbed water on the tensile strength of flax fibers. Macromol Symp 222:195–202CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  32. 32.
    Haag K, Müssig J (2013) FIBRAGEN—Flax for Improved Biomaterials through applied Genomics: New concepts to characterize the mechanical properties of flax fibre bundles. ResEff 2013—International Conference on Resource Efficiency in Interorganizational Networks. 13–14 November 2013, Georg-August-Universität GöttingenGoogle Scholar
  33. 33.
    DIN EN 1007-4 (2004): Hochleistungskeramik—Keramische Verbundwerkstoffe—Verfahren zur Prüfung der Faserverstärkungen—Teil 4: Bestimmung der Zugeigenschaften von Fasern bei Raumtemperatur; Deutsche Fassung EN 1007-4:2004. Deutsche Norm (08/2004). (in German) Google Scholar
  34. 34.
    XP T 25-501-2 (2009): Normalisation francaise: Fibres de renfort—Fibres de lin pour composites plastiques. Partie 2: Détermination des propriétés en traction des fibres élémentaires. Norme expérimentale. AFNOR (10/2009). (in French) Google Scholar
  35. 35.
    XP T 25-501-3 (2010): Normalisation francaise: Fibres de renfort—Fibres de lin pour composites plastiques. Partie 3: Détermination des propriétés en traction des fibres techniques. Norme expérimentale. AFNOR (07/2010). (in French) Google Scholar
  36. 36.
    Defoirdt N, Biswas S, Vriese LD, Tran LQN, van Acker J, Ahsan Q, Gorbatikh L, van Vuure A, Verpoest I (2010) Assessment of the tensile properties of coir, bamboo and jute fibre. Compos A Appl Sci Manuf 41:588–595CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  37. 37.
    Tanguy M, Bourmaud A, Baley C (2016) Plant cell walls to reinforce composite materials: relationship between nanoindentation and tensile modulus. Mater Lett 167:161–164CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  38. 38.
    Thomason J, Carruthers J (2012) Natural Fibre Cross Sectional Area, Its Variability and Effects on the Determination of Fibre Properties. J Biobased Mater Bioenerg, 6, 424–430Google Scholar
  39. 39.
    Aslan M, Chinga-Carrasco G, Sorensen BF, Madsen B (2011) Strength variability of single flax fibres. J Mater Sci 46:6344–6354. doi: 10.1007/s10853-011-5581-x CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  40. 40.
    Müssig J (2001) Untersuchung der Eignung heimischer Pflanzenfasern für die Herstellung von naturfaserverstärkten Duroplasten—vom Anbau zum Verbundwerkstoff—VDI Verlag GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany (Fortschritt-Bericht VDI, Series 5, no. 630), (ISBN 3-18-363005-2) p 214. (in German) Google Scholar
  41. 41.
    Blanchard J, Sobey A, Blake J (2016) Multi-scale investigation into the mechanical behaviour of flax in yarn, cloth and laminate form. Compos B Eng 84:228–235CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  42. 42.
    Virk AS, Hall W, Summerscales J (2010) Physical characterization of jute technical fibers: fiber dimensions. J Nat Fibers 7:216–228CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  43. 43.
    Bourmaud A, Morvan C, Bouali A, Placet V, Perré P, Baley C (2013) Relationships between micro-fibrillar angle, mechanical properties and biochemical composition of flax fibers. Ind Crops Prod 44:343–351CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  44. 44.
    Charlet K, Jernot JP, Gomina M, Baley C, Bizet L, Bréard J (2007) Morphology and mechanical behavior of a natural composite: the Flax Fiber. 16th International Conference on Composite Materials, 2007Google Scholar
  45. 45.
    Morvan C, Andème-Onzighi C, Girault R, Himmelsbach DS, Driouich A, Akin DE (2003) Building flax fibres: more than one brick in the walls. Plant Physiol Biochem 41:935–944CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  46. 46.
    Slootmaker T, Müssig J (2010) SEM Catalogue for animal and plant fibres. In: Müssig, J (ed) Industrial applications of natural fibres: structure, properties and technical applications. Wiley, Chichester (ISBN 978-0-470-69501-1), p 311–336Google Scholar
  47. 47.
    Haag K, Müssig J (2013) FIBRAGEN—Flax fibre for Improved Biomaterials through Applied Genomics. Poster presentation, PLANT 2030 Status Seminar, March 6–8, 2013, Kongresshotel am Templiner See, PotsdamGoogle Scholar
  48. 48.
    Virk AS, Hall W, Summerscales J (2012) Modulus and strength prediction for natural fibre composites. Mater Sci Technol 28(7):864–871; J Nat Fibers 7:216–228, 2010Google Scholar
  49. 49.
    Bensadoun F, Verpoest I, Baets J, Müssig J, Graupner N, Davies P, Gomina M, Kervoelen A, Baley C (2015) Development and validation of an impregnated fibre bundle test for natural fibres used as reinforcement in composites. In: Thomsen OT Aalborg University, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (Conference Chair): 20th International Conference on Composite Materials—ICCM20. Copenhagen, Denmark (19–24.07.2015)Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.The Biological Materials Group, Faculty 5/BiomimeticsHSB—Hochschule Bremen, City University of Applied SciencesBremenGermany

Personalised recommendations