Assessment of Fiber Orientation on the Mechanical Properties of PA6/Cellulose Composite

Abstract

Cellulose is being considered as a suitable renewable reinforcement for materials production. In particular, cellulose based composites are attracting global interest for their unique and intrinsic properties such as strength to weight ratio, dimensional stability and low thermal expansion and contraction. This article investigates the preparation of cellulose pulp fibers with polyamide-6 (PA6) polymer and the effect of fiber orientation within the matrix on the final properties of the biocomposite. Cellulose pulp fibers were melt compounded with PA6 using a thermo-kinetic mixer. Different formulations were prepared and the compounds were manufactured into test samples by injection molding. Mechanical characterization revealed that elastic modulus and the flexural properties increased linearly with the fiber composition. The effect of fiber orientation was examined from square samples out of which individual specimens were cut at different directions with respect to the flow direction. The contributions related to fiber content and effect of fiber orientation on the tensile properties assessed lent positively towards parallel oriented samples (0°) with respect to flow direction. Furthermore, the cellulose network within the biocomposite revealed the superior interfacial properties between the cellulose and PA6 matrix when observed under a scanning electron microscope.