Composites with cellulose reinforcements are steadily gaining increased use.  The stress-transfer ability between reinforcement and polymer matrix has a strong influence on the mechanical properties.  This work presents a method to assess the stress-transfer ability between cellulose and polymer matrix from a model material with cellulose spheres embedded in a polymer matrix.  Measured elastic moduli of particulate composites are compared with predicted values from a micromechanical model.  An interface parameter is identified and used to quantify stress-transfer ability of cellulose/polylactide and cellulose/polystyrene composite interfaces.  A higher degree of interfacial interaction was found for the former.  This ranking was corroborated by adhesion-force measurements using colloidal probe AFM.  With the model microstructure of a cellulose-sphere composite, an interfacial efficiency parameter can be backed out from stiffness measurements to be used in e.g. ranking of different fibre surface treatments and choice of matrix in the development of stiffer, stronger and tougher bio-fiber composites.

Characterization of interfacial stress transfer ability of particulate cellulose composite materials

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.