About this Abstract |
Meeting |
2024 ASC Technical Conference, US-Japan Joint Symposium, D30 Meeting
|
Symposium
|
2024 ASC Technical Conference, US-Japan Joint Symposium, D30 Meeting
|
Presentation Title |
Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Flax Stems through Nanoparticle Uptake |
Author(s) |
Xhulja Biraku, Wencai Li, Alan Taub, Mihaela Banu |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Wencai Li |
Abstract Scope |
In the pursuit of sustainable and environmentally friendly composite materials, natural fiber-reinforced composites emerge as a compelling alternative to their synthetic counterparts (e.g., E-glass fibers), offering specific properties at a reduced cost and carbon footprint. While having considerable potential, their current uses are largely limited to non-structural or semi-structural domains, primarily due to inferior mechanical properties. This work aims to develop a novel technique to enhance the mechanical performance of flax fibers. To achieve this, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were incorporated during the growth phase of flax plants, and their impact on the mechanical behaviors of dried flax stems was investigated through tensile and compression tests. It was found that flax plants treated with CNF nanoparticles experienced significant enhancements in failure stress and failure strain, increasing by up to 57.8% and 40.5%, respectively, under longitudinal compressive loading. Results from transverse compression tests revealed that the treated plants exhibited a 7% increase in Young’s modulus compared to untreated stems. Additionally, there was a slight increase of 3.9% in Young’s Modulus under tension for CNF treated flax stems. Overall, the CNF treatment method developed in this study holds promise for improving the mechanical properties of flax stems and providing valuable insights into the industrial applications for natural fiber-reinforced composite materials. |
Proceedings Inclusion? |
Definite: Post-meeting proceedings |