Improving the performance of polypropylene matrix composite materials using engineered hemp fibre mats
type: CreativeWork
description: Projections of continuing demand for materials across the world is driving the development of more sustainable materials. The low energy consumption requirements, as well as recyclability found within the spectrum of natural fibre composites, has led to increased interest in improving these sustainable materials. Although the use of natural fibre composite materials has been documented in early civilisations, growing environmental concerns coupled with technological advancements have encouraged the expansion of their use in recent times. However, there are still significant issues, including their limited mechanical performance, that limit the ability to compete for future use. Amongst natural fibres, hemp fibres are an attractive alternative reinforcement to synthetic fibres due to their favourable mechanical properties as well as availability. Additionally, compared to other natural fibres, hemp fibres are more valuable for the bio-based economy due to its environmental benefits such as can be grown without pesticide and high yield of technical fibres. The hemp is cultivated in most of the EU countries. However, to improve hemp fibre composites to further replace synthetic fibre composites, research is required. Presented in this thesis are experimental investigations on the properties of polypropylene matrix composites reinforced with hemp fibre mats produced using dynamic sheet forming (DSF) to align the short fibres used in the mats. The overall aim of this research was to improve the mechanical performance of hemp fibre mats produced using DSF and to assess the potential of these mats as reinforcement in polypropylene composites. Two different alkali treatments were carried out on hemp fibres with the goal of producing fibre mats from high strength fibres using DSF, one at ambient and one at a higher temperature. The ambient temperature treatment was carried out using a solution of 5 wt% sodium hydroxide (NaOH), whereas the higher temperature treatment was car…
abstract: Projections of continuing demand for materials across the world is driving the development of more sustainable materials. The low energy consumption requirements, as well as recyclability found within the spectrum of natural fibre composites, has led to increased interest in improving these sustainable materials. Although the use of natural fibre composite materials has been documented in early civilisations, growing environmental concerns coupled with technological advancements have encouraged the expansion of their use in recent times. However, there are still significant issues, including their limited mechanical performance, that limit the ability to compete for future use. Amongst natural fibres, hemp fibres are an attractive alternative reinforcement to synthetic fibres due to their favourable mechanical properties as well as availability. Additionally, compared to other natural fibres, hemp fibres are more valuable for the bio-based economy due to its environmental benefits such as can be grown without pesticide and high yield of technical fibres. The hemp is cultivated in most of the EU countries. However, to improve hemp fibre composites to further replace synthetic fibre composites, research is required. Presented in this thesis are experimental investigations on the properties of polypropylene matrix composites reinforced with hemp fibre mats produced using dynamic sheet forming (DSF) to align the short fibres used in the mats. The overall aim of this research was to improve the mechanical performance of hemp fibre mats produced using DSF and to assess the potential of these mats as reinforcement in polypropylene composites. Two different alkali treatments were carried out on hemp fibres with the goal of producing fibre mats from high strength fibres using DSF, one at ambient and one at a higher temperature. The ambient temperature treatment was carried out using a solution of 5 wt% sodium hydroxide (NaOH), whereas the higher temperature treatment was car…
author: Sunny, Tom
keywords: Dynamic sheet forming, Hemp fibres, Alignment of fibres
license: https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstreams/371852fb-af54-4cb2-b428-1cedc8090196/download
date published: 2021
date modified: 2026-07-24T05:57:55Z
provider: University Waikato
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: The University of Waikato