Dynamic-mechanical and thermomechanical properties of cellulose nanofiber/polyester resin composites

Alessandra Lavoratti; Lisete Cristine Scienza; Ademir José Zattera

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.10.008

Dynamic-mechanical and thermomechanical properties of cellulose nanofiber/polyester resin composites

Carbohydr Polym. 2016 Jan 20:136:955-63. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.10.008. Epub 2015 Oct 9.

Authors

Alessandra Lavoratti¹, Lisete Cristine Scienza², Ademir José Zattera³

Affiliations

¹ Post-graduate Program in Engineering of Processes and Technologies (PGEPROTEC), Laboratory of Polymers (LPOL), University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), 95070-490 Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: alelvt@gmail.com.
² Department of Materials (DEMAT) Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), BP 15010, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: lisete.scienza@ufrgs.br.
³ Post-graduate Program in Engineering of Processes and Technologies (PGEPROTEC), Laboratory of Polymers (LPOL), University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), 95070-490 Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: ajzattera@terra.com.br.

PMID: 26572434
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.10.008

Abstract

Composites of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) obtained from dry cellulose waste of softwood (Pinus sp.) and hardwood (Eucalyptus sp.) were developed. The fiber properties and the influence of the CNFs in the dynamic-mechanical and thermomechanical properties of the composites were evaluated. CNFs with a diameter of 70-90 nm were obtained. Eucalyptus sp. has higher α-cellulose content than Pinus sp. fibers. The crystallinity of the cellulose pulps decreased after grinding. However, high values were still obtained. The chemical composition of the fibers was not significantly altered by the grinding process. Eucalyptus sp. CNF composites had water absorption close to the neat resin at 1 wt% filler. The dynamic-mechanical properties of Eucalyptus sp. CNFs were slightly increased and the thermal stability was improved.

Keywords: Cellulose nanofiber (CNF); Cellulose waste; Composites; Mechanical fibrillation; Unsaturated polyester resin (UPR).

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cellulose / chemistry*
Composite Resins / chemistry*
Eucalyptus / chemistry*
Mechanical Phenomena
Nanofibers / chemistry*
Polyesters / chemistry*

Substances

Composite Resins
Polyesters
Cellulose