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Reinforcing effects of modified Kevlar® fiber on the mechanical properties of wood-flour/polypropylene composites

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Abstract

Kevlar® fiber (KF) is a synthesized product with strong mechanical properties. We used KF as a reinforcement to improve the mechanical properties of wood-flour/polypropylene (WF/PP) composites. KF was pretreated with NaOH to improve its compatibility with the thermoplastic matrix. Maleated polypropylene (MAPP) was used as a coupling agent to improve the interfacial adhesion between KF, WF, and PP. Incorporation of KF improved the mechanical properties of WF/PP composites. Treatment of KF with NaOH resulted in further improvement in mechanical strength. Addition of 3% MAPP and 2% hydrolyzed KF (HKF) led to an increment of 93.8% in unnotched impact strength, 17.7% in notched impact strength, 86.8% in flexure strength, 50.8% in flexure modulus, and 94.1% in tensile strength compared to traditional WF/PP composites. Scanning electron microscopy of the cryo-fractured section of WF/PP showed that the HKF surface was rougher than the virgin KF, and the KF was randomly distributed in the composites, which might cause a mechanical interlocking between KF and polypropylene molecules in the composites.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China

    Fei-pin Yuan, Rong-xian Ou, Yan-jun Xie & Qing-wen Wang

Authors
  1. Fei-pin Yuan
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  2. Rong-xian Ou
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  3. Yan-jun Xie
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  4. Qing-wen Wang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Qing-wen Wang.

Additional information

Foundation project: This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project Nos. 31010103905 and 31070507), Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University of Ministry of Education of China (NCET-11-0608), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (DL12DB02).

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Yuan, Fp., Ou, Rx., Xie, Yj. et al. Reinforcing effects of modified Kevlar® fiber on the mechanical properties of wood-flour/polypropylene composites. Journal of Forestry Research 24, 149–153 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-013-0335-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-013-0335-z

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