Development of High-Strength Composites with Sustainable Fibers for Structural Applications

Despite Canada's abundant biomass resources, a significant portion remains underutilized due to a lack of large-scale industrial applications. This research explores the utilization of low-value biomass, specifically aspen fiber, in fused filament fabrication (FFF) to develop biocomposites. Various chemical treatments (NaOH, silane, and maleic anhydride (MA)) were applied to improve fiber compatibility with polylactic acid (PLA). Both untreated and treated fibers at 10% loading were blended with PLA and extruded into 3D printable filaments. Results showed that MA-treated fiber-based composites had around 15% higher tensile strength and modulus, along with a 30% enhancement in storage modulus than untreated ones. Additionally, a 25% reduction in water uptake was witnessed in MA-treated aspen-derived composites. Successfully 3D-printed biocomposites with up to 30% fiber loading were achieved without nozzle clogging, though higher fiber loading negatively impacted mechanical properties. This study also investigates the potential of CNT incorporation in asphaltene-derived carbon fibers and the impact of carbon fiber reinforcement to enhance the mechanical properties of biocomposites. This research contributes to the development of sustainable and high-performance composite materials by exploring the potential of underutilized resources and advanced manufacturing techniques.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engineering – Chemical & Petroleum

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Sarker, Rahul

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Kibria, Md Golam
• Hu, Jinguang

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Sumon, Kazi Z
• Trifkovic, Milana

• Biocomposites
• 3D printing
• Chemical treatment
• PLA
• Underutilized biomass
• CNT
• Probe sonication
• Asphaltene-derived Carbon Fiber

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/47435

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:1880/119824