Composites based on cellulose fiber nonwovens and a water-soluble polymer 2. Strength-deformation characteristics of the composites

The relationship between the strength-deformation properties and certain structural characteristics (volume content of polymer and voids, orientation of fibers) of composites prepared by impregnation of cellulose fiber nonwovens (CFNs) with poly(vinyl alcohol) water solutions is discussed. With growth in the volume fraction of polymer to 0.25-0.30, the tensile elastic modulus and ultimate strength of the composites increase compared with those of CFN. As a consequence of enhanced adhesion among the cellulose fibers, the relative values of tensile strength and elastic modulus in the main orientation direction of the fibers is higher than in the perpendicular one. Therefore, with increasing content of polymer in the composite, its degree of anisotropy diminishes significantly. The punching strength almost linearly correlates with the tensile strength. The breaking strain in tension increases considerably with growing content of polymer, but the tearing strength changes only slightly.