Thermal degradation of flax fibres as potential reinforcement in thermoplastic composites

Abstract

This work reports on a study of thermal degradation of flax fibres to gain an improved understanding of the use and limitations of flax fibres as reinforcement for thermoplastic composites manufactured by the vacuum forming process. The effect of heating on chemical decomposition and thermal stability was performed, using fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and thermogravimetry (TG) techniques. In addition, the characterisation of micro structures of failure surface following tensile testing of the composites was conducted. The results show that the hemicelluloses decomposition of flax fibres during thermal degradation is a factor to have the detrimental effect on the thermal stability of fibres, particularly with low heating rate. The present investigation, A decrease of hemicellulose and pectin content of the fibres, a decrease of consolidation temperature and an increase of heating rate during the manufacturing of flax fibre thermoplastic composites should improve their mechanical performance. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.