Development of Ramie Fiber Reinforced Biodegradable Resin Matrix Composites by Press Forming and Effect of Chemical Treatments

摘要

It is expected that environment-friendly biodegradable composites reinforced by high strength natural fibers are widely used for industrial applications, preferably in place of glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP). The purpose of this study is thus to publish useful information on fabrication process, optimum forming pressure and mechanical properties of ramie fiber reinforced biodegradable resin matrix composites. It was found out that (1) a pre-forming method is effective in arranging ramie strings unidirectionally and exactly, and therefore can increase dramatically the composite strength, and (2) an optimum forming pressure for increasing appropriately tensile strength and Young's modulus is in the range of 13.1 to 19.6 MPa. We further investigated the effect of chemical treatments on mechanical properties of treated ramie fiber reinforced biodegradable resin composites. The results showed that alkali-treated fiber composite was unchanged in strength as compared to untreated fiber composite, while the treated fiber composite was well improved in Young's modulus, 30 percent larger than that of untreated fiber composite.