Hemp fibre as alternative to glass fibre in sheet moulding compound Part 1 - influence of fibre content and surface treatment on mechanical properties

• Published in: Plastics, rubber & composites Vol. 39; no. 6; pp. 268 - 276
• Main Authors: Patel, H. K., Ren, G., Hogg, P. J., Peijs, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England Taylor & Francis 01.07.2010; SAGE Publications; Maney
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Calcium carbonate; Exact sciences and technology; Fiber composites; Fibre; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; GLASS FIBRE; Hemp; INTERFACE; Laminates; Mathematical models; MECHANICAL PROPERTIES; Molding (process); Moulding; NATURAL FIBRE; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Stiffness; Technology of polymers; MECHANICAL PROPERTIES; INTERFACE; NATURAL FIBRE; GLASS FIBRE; Laminate; Mechanical model; Fiber reinforced material; Plant fiber; Mineral fiber; Modeling; Composite material; Natural fiber; Natural fibre; Mercerization; Hemp; Ester polymer; Mechanical properties; Organic silane; Tensile property; Experimental study; Hybrid composite; Surface treatment; Coupling agent; Calcium carbonate; Concentration effect; Glass fibre; Unsaturated polymer; Sheet moulding compound; Glass fiber; Fracture mode; Interface
• ISSN: 1465-8011; 1743-2898
• DOI: 10.1179/174328910X12647080902853

Hemp fibre mat reinforced unsaturated polyester composites were fabricated using a conventional sheet moulding compound process. The influence of fibre and CaCO 3 filler content on strength and stiffness of these hemp fibre reinforced sheet moulding compounds is reported and compared with data for chopped glass fibre reinforced sheet moulding compounds. In addition the influence of alkaline and silane treatments of the hemp fibres is evaluated. The experimental data are compared to modified versions of the Cox-Krenchel and Kelly-Tyson models, supplemented with parameters of composite porosity to improve the prediction of composite tensile properties. A good agreement was found between the modified models and experimental data for strength and stiffness. The results indicate that hemp fibre reinforced sheet moulding compounds are of interest for low cost engineering applications that require high stiffness to weight ratios.