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Title: Flax Fiber - Interfacial Bonding

Author
item Foulk, Jonn
item FUQUA, MICHAEL - Composites Innovation Center
item ULVEN, CHAD - Composites Innovation Center
item ALCOCK, MERCEDES - Composites Innovation Center

Submitted to: American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/31/2009
Publication Date: 12/15/2009
Citation: Foulk, J.A., Fuqua, M., Ulven, C., Alcock, M. 2009. Flax Fiber - Interfacial Bonding. American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting. Paper No. 170307.

Interpretive Summary: Flax fiber properties may impact bonding within composites. This work evaluates flax fiber quality and resultant biofiber composites. These initial steps attempt to identify flax fiber characteristics that influence composite performance. Results demonstrate certain composite testing can be considered viable methods for determining interfacial bonding strength for natural fibers. This study determined that fiber characteristics such as fiber elongation, wax content, bacterial content, fiber thickness, density, Ca and Mg content relate to composite quality.

Technical Abstract: Measured flax fiber physical and chemical properties potentially impact bonding and thus stress transfer between the matrix and fiber within composites. These first attempts at correlating flax fiber quality and biofiber composites contain the initial steps towards identifying key flax fiber characteristics that influence composite performance. Results demonstrate that fiber pullout and ILSS testing can both be considered viable methods for determining interfacial bonding strength for natural fibers. This study determined that among the fiber and matrix interfacial adhesion, fiber characteristics such as fiber elongation, wax content, bacterial content, fiber thickness, density, Ca and Mg content demonstrate a correlation to biofiber composite performance.