The purpose of this research is to test the effects of methyltrimethoxysilane coupling agent on composite material containing calcium sulfite obtained from the Southern Illinois Power Co-operative. This scrubber material and the miscanthus plant are of interest due to their use in coal burning power plants to reduce toxic emission. When calcium sulfate is passed through coal fire gas emissions it absorbs mercury and sulfur. In these composites it is used as filler to reduce cost. Miscanthus is a source of both cellulose reinforcement and some natural resin. This plant has low care requirements, little mineral content, useful energy return, and positive environmental effects. Under investigation is whether a post-cure procedure or a silane coupling agent will positively impact the composite. Hot pressing alone may not be enough to fully cure the phenolic. It is hoped that the silane will increase the strength characteristics of the composite by enhancing adhesion between the calcium sulfite and phenolic resin. Possible effects on the miscanthus by the silane will also be tested. Phenolic is being utilized because of its recycling and biodegradable properties along with cost effectiveness in mass production. Composite mechanical performance was measured through 3-point bending to measure flexural strength and strain at breakage. A dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) was used to find thermomechanical properties. The post-cure was found to be effective, particularly on the final composite containing silane. When methyltrimethoxysilane was added to the miscanthus prior to fabrication, it was found to reduce flexural strength and density. However the addition of methyltrimethoxysilane to the calcium sulfite altered thermo-mechanical properties to a state more like pure phenolic, with added flexibility and thermal stability.

The diploma thesis in the first part deals with a theoretical description of coating technologies, textile materials used in coatings, types of coated polymers and properties of coatings - especially adhesion. The experimental part of the work is devoted to the preparation of textile coatings from polyester fabric and coating based on addition silicone. Using the developed method of sample preparation for T-peel testing of the adhesive strength, the improvement of the adhesion of the coating by chemical adhesion with the support of adhesive agents was studied. The second method studied the change in compactness and adhesion of the coating to the fabric after shaking as a function of breathability. The influence of side reactions of reagents on silicone cohesion was studied by preparing dogbones for testing tensile-deformation properties. The research also included the characterization of silicone samples using ATR-FTIR, monitoring the weight gain and thickness of the fabric after coating, the feel and color stability of the applied fabric and observing the coating under an optical microscope.

Theoretical part of master's thesis is focused on chemical treatments of natural fibers and their use as reinforcement material in polymer composites. Flax fibers were treated with two different silane coupling agents to improve their adhesion with polymer matrix. Nature of treatment was studied by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Composites based on both treated and untreated flax fibers were prepared by pultrusion.technique. Mechanical properties and water absorption of prepared composites were evaluated.

Hybrid carbon fiber reinforced composites are a new breed of materials that are currently being explored and characterized for next generation aerospace applications. Through the introduction of secondary reinforcements, such as alumina nanoparticles, hybrid properties including improved mechanical properties and stress sensing capabilities can be achieved. In order to maximize these properties, it is necessary to achieve a homogeneous dispersion of particulate filler. Utilizing the photoluminescent properties of alumina, it is possible to compare local levels of particle concentration through emission intensities as a way to determine the effectiveness of the tested manufacturing parameters in increasing material homogeneity. Parameters of these photoluminescence emissions have been established to be stress dependent, which allows for in situ residual stress measurements. It is shown here that the application of silane coupling agents as particle surface treatments improves particle dispersion when compared to untreated samples. Reactive silane coupling agent (RSCA) treatments were found to provide for greater dispersion improvements when compared to non-reactive silane coupling agents (NRSCA). Higher resolution investigations into these samples found that treatment with a reactive coupling agent altered the stress state of particles concentrated around the fiber from a tensile stress state to a compressive stress state. This is proposed to result from bonding of the reactive groups on the coupling agent to the organic groups on the carbon fibers which adjusts the stress state of the particle. Future mechanical tests will verify the effects of the particle surface functionalization treatments on mechanical properties of the composites.

Glass fiber reinforced poly(ethylene terephthalate), GF/PET has excellent potential for future structural applications of composite materials. PET as a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyester has high wear resistance, low coefficient of friction, high flexural modulus and superior dimensional stability make it a versatile material for designing mechanical and electromechanical parts. Glass fibers are currently used as strength giving material in structural composites because of their high strength and high performance capabilities. In order to obtain high interfacial adhesion between glass fiber and polymer, glass fibers are treated with silane coupling agents. The objective of this study is to produce GF/PET composites with varying glass fiber concentration at constant process parameters in a twin screw extruder. Also, by keeping GF content constant, it is aimed to observe the effects of process parameters such as screw speed and feed rate on structural properties of the composites. Another objective of the study is to investigate the influence of different coupling agents on the morphological, thermal and mechanical properties and on fiber length distributions of the composites. Tensile strength and tensile moduli of the GF/PET composites increased with increasing GF loading. There was not a direct relation between strain at break values and GF content. The interfacial adhesion between glass fiber received from the manufacturer and PET was good as observed in the SEM photograps. Degree of crystallinity values increased with the addition of GF. Increasing the screw speed did not affect the tensile strength of the material significantly. While increasing the feed rate the tensile strength decreased. The coupling agent, 3-APME which has less effective functional groups than the others showed poor adhesion between glass fiber and PET. Therefore, lower tensile properties were obtained for the composite with 3-APME than those of other silane coupling agents treated composites. Number average fiber length values were reduced to approximately 300&amp / #61549 / m for almost all composites prepared in this study.

No description available.

[ES] La tesis doctoral explora la aplicación potencial de fibras de lana de oveja, un subproducto sostenible de la industria láctea, como refuerzo en materiales poliméricos biodegradables, con un enfoque en los compuestos de ácido poliláctico (PLA). El objetivo principal es desarrollar y optimizar sistemas de polímeros reforzados con fibras (FRP) mediante el análisis de los efectos de las modificaciones en la superficie de las fibras y la variación en la composición de los compuestos en las propiedades mecánicas y térmicas. El estudio se divide en enfoques experimentales y computacionales, involucrando cuatro estudios experimentales principales y dos proyectos suplementarios de modelado basado en aprendizaje automático. Los estudios experimentales se centraron en la preparación y caracterización de mezclas de PLA y aceite de linaza maleinizado reforzadas con fibras de lana de oveja. Se aplicaron sistemáticamente tratamientos de superficie utilizando agentes acoplantes de silano y alcoxido para mejorar las interacciones entre las fibras y el polímero. En particular, el tratamiento con isopropóxido de titanio (IV) (triethanolamina) mejoró significativamente la resistencia a la tracción, mientras que el tratamiento con trimetoxi (2-(7-oxabiciclo[4.1.0]hept-3-il)etil)silano mostró la mayor resistencia al impacto entre los agentes probados. El análisis térmico reveló que estas modificaciones de superficie aumentaron las temperaturas de cristalización en frío y redujeron el grado general de cristalinidad, aunque los tratamientos con alcoxido afectaron desfavorablemente la estabilidad térmica al disminuir la temperatura de pérdida de masa del 5%. Investigaciones experimentales adicionales exploraron los efectos de mayores concentraciones de fibras de lana y mayores niveles de agentes de tratamiento superficial. Un contenido elevado de fibras generalmente resultó en una disminución de las propiedades de tracción debido a una unión insuficiente entre el polímero y las fibras; sin embargo, los tratamientos con silano compensaron parcialmente estos efectos negativos al mejorar el módulo de Young y la elongación a la rotura. Además, se empleó un pretratamiento con plasma en las fibras de lana para eliminar lípidos superficiales, lo que mejoró la elongación a la rotura, a pesar de una ligera reducción en la resistencia a la tracción. Los estudios de envejecimiento físico a largo plazo demostraron cambios significativos en la estructura cristalina y las transiciones térmicas de los compuestos de PLA, afectando su rendimiento mecánico y destacando la importancia de la estabilidad de los materiales en aplicaciones de biopolímeros. Siguiendo los esfuerzos experimentales, los estudios computacionales emplearon algoritmos de aprendizaje automático para predecir propiedades de los materiales basándose en los resultados de caracterización. Estos modelos predijeron eficazmente la resistencia a la tracción, la degradación térmica y otras propiedades de los materiales en diversas formulaciones, permitiendo así una exploración eficiente de un rango más amplio de composiciones con un costo experimental reducido. Los resultados de esta tesis confirman la viabilidad de utilizar fibras de lana de oveja como refuerzos efectivos y ecológicos para polímeros biodegradables basados en PLA. Las propiedades mecánicas y térmicas mejoradas a través de las modificaciones de la superficie de las fibras, combinadas con los modelos de aprendizaje automático, contribuyen al desarrollo de FRP sostenibles adecuados para aplicaciones diversas en los sectores automotriz, aeroespacial, agrícola y de productos de consumo. Esta investigación propone un enfoque para la utilización de materiales derivados de fuentes biológicas y promueve el uso de subproductos de la industria láctea, ofreciendo importantes beneficios ambientales e industriales. Además, el uso de modelado computacional proporciona un enfoque novedoso para la optimización de formulaciones de materiales. / [CA] La tesi doctoral explora l'aplicació potencial de fibres de llana d'ovella, un subproduct sostenible de la indústria làctia, com a reforç en materials polimèrics biodegradables, amb un enfocament específic en els compostos d'àcid polilàctic (PLA). L'objectiu principal és desenvolupar i optimitzar sistemes de polímers reforçats amb fibres (FRP) mitjançant l'anàlisi dels efectes de les modificacions en la superfície de les fibres i la variació en la composició dels compostos sobre les propietats mecàniques i tèrmiques. L'estudi es divideix en enfocaments experimentals i computacionals, amb quatre estudis experimentals principals i dos projectes suplementaris de modelatge basat en aprenentatge automàtic. Els estudis experimentals es van centrar en la preparació i caracterització de mescles de PLA i oli de lli maleïnitzat reforçades amb fibres de llana d'ovella. Es van aplicar sistemàticament tractaments de superfície utilitzant agents d'acoblament de silà i alcoxid per millorar les interaccions entre les fibres i el polímer. En particular, el tractament amb isopropòxid de titani (IV) (trietanolamina) va millorar significativament la resistència a la tracció, mentre que el tractament amb trimetoxisilà (2-(7-oxabiciclo[4.1.0]hept-3-il)etil) va mostrar la major resistència a l'impacte entre els agents provats. L'anàlisi tèrmica va revelar que aquestes modificacions de superfície van augmentar les temperatures de cristal·lització en fred i van reduir el grau general de cristallinitat, encara que els tractaments amb alcoxid van afectar desfavorablement l'estabilitat tèrmica en reduir la temperatura de pèrdua de massa del 5%. Investigacions experimentals addicionals van explorar els efectes de majors concentracions de fibres de llana i de nivells més alts d'agents de tractament superficial. Un alt contingut de fibres generalment va resultar en una disminució de les propietats de tracció a causa d'una unió insuficient entre el polímer i les fibres; tanmateix, els tractaments amb silà van compensar parcialment aquests efectes negatius en millorar el mòdul de Young i l'elongació en la ruptura. A més, es va utilitzar un pretractament amb plasma en les fibres de llana per eliminar els lípids superficials, fet que va millorar l'elongació en la ruptura, malgrat una lleugera reducció en la resistència a la tracció. Els estudis d'envelliment físic a llarg termini van demostrar canvis significatius en l'estructura cristal·lina i les transicions tèrmiques dels compostos de PLA, afectant el seu rendiment mecànic i ressaltant la importància de l'estabilitat dels materials en aplicacions de biopolímers. Seguint els esforços experimentals, els estudis computacionals van emprar algorismes d'aprenentatge automàtic per predir propietats dels materials basant-se en els resultats de caracterització. Aquests models van predir eficaçment la resistència a la tracció, la degradació tèrmica i altres propietats dels materials en diverses formulacions, permetent així una exploració eficient d'un rang més ampli de composicions amb un cost experimental reduït. Els resultats d'aquesta tesi confirmen la viabilitat d'utilitzar fibres de llana d'ovella com a reforços efectius i ecològics per a polímers biodegradables basats en PLA. Les propietats mecàniques i tèrmiques millorades mitjançant les modificacions de la superfície de les fibres, combinades amb els models d'aprenentatge automàtic, contribueixen al desenvolupament de FRP sostenibles adequats per a aplicacions diverses en els sectors de l'automoció, l'aeroespacial, l'agrícola i els productes de consum. Aquesta investigació proposa un enfocament per a la utilització de materials derivats de fonts biològiques i promou l'ús de subproductes de la indústria làctia, oferint importants beneficis ambientals i industrials. A més, l'ús de modelatge computacional proporciona un enfocament novedós per a l'optimització de formulacions de materials. / [EN] The doctoral thesis explores the potential application of sheep wool fibers, a sustainable by-product from the dairy industry, as reinforcement in biodegradable polymeric materials, specifically focusing on polylactic acid (PLA) composites. The primary objective is to develop and optimize fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems by examining the effects of fiber surface modifications and varying composite compositions on mechanical and thermal properties. The study is divided into experimental and computational approaches, involving four main experimental studies and two supplementary machine learning modeling projects. Experimental studies focused on the preparation and characterization of PLA/maleinized linseed oil blends reinforced with sheep wool fibers. Surface treatments using silane and alkoxide coupling agents were systematically applied to enhance fiber-polymer interactions. Notably, treatment with titanium (IV) (triethanolaminate)isopropoxide significantly improved tensile strength, while trimethoxy (2-(7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-yl)ethyl)silane treatment yielded the highest impact strength among the tested agents. Thermal analysis revealed that these surface modifications increased cold crystallization temperatures and reduced the overall degree of crystallinity, although alkoxide treatments unfavorably affected thermal stability by lowering the temperature of 5% mass loss. Further experimental work explored the effects of increased wool fiber concentrations and higher levels of surface treatment agents. High fiber content generally resulted in reduced tensile properties due to insufficient polymer-fiber bonding; however, silane treatments partially compensated for these negative effects by enhancing Young's modulus and elongation at break. Additionally, plasma pretreatment of wool fibers was employed to remove surface lipids, which improved elongation at break despite a slight reduction in tensile strength. Long-term physical aging studies demonstrated significant changes in the crystalline structure and thermal transitions of PLA composites, impacting their mechanical performance and highlighting the importance of material stability in biopolymer applications. Following the experimental efforts, computational studies utilized machine learning algorithms to predict material properties based on the characterization results. These models effectively forecast tensile strength, thermal degradation, and other material properties across various formulations, thereby enabling the efficient exploration of a broader range of material compositions with reduced experimental cost. The results of this thesis confirm the possibility of using sheep wool fibers as effective, eco-friendly reinforcements for PLA-based biodegradable polymers. The enhanced mechanical and thermal properties achieved through fiber surface modifications, combined with the machine learning models, contribute to the development of sustainable FRPs suitable for diverse applications in automotive, aerospace, agricultural, and consumer product sectors. This research shows an approach for the utilization of bio-derived materials and promotes the usage of dairy industry by-products, offering significant environmental and industrial benefits. Furthermore, the use of computational modeling provides a novel approach for optimizing material formulations. / Pawlak, FJ. (2025). Use of wool reinforcements for biodegradable materials [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/214791