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This study presents quantitative results on the effect on individual fiber length during fiber flocculation. Flocculation was induced by a cationic polyacrylamide (cPAM). A high speed camera recorded 25 second video clips. The videos were image-analyzed and the fiber length and the amount of fiber in each sample were measured. Prior to the flocculation process, fibers were fractionated into short and long fibers. Trials were conducted using the unfractionated fiber, short fiber, and long fiber. The short and long fibers were mixed in several trials to study the effect of fiber length. The concentration of cPAM was varied as well as the motor speed of the impeller (RPM). It was found that the average fiber length decreased more rapidly with increasing motor speed. Increasing the concentration of cPAM also led to a greater decrease in average fiber length. A key finding was that a plateau was reached where further increasing the amount of cPAM had no effect. Hence, fibers below a critical length resisted flocculation even if the chemical dose or shear was increased. This critical length was related to the initial length of the fiber.

Fiber quality data from five upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes, which were grown at College Station, TX during 2001 and 2002, were subjected to diallel and generation means analyses to determine the potential for improvement of fiber length and to determine the inheritance of length distribution data. Four near-long staple (NLS) upland cotton genotypes and one short-staple genotype were crossed in all combinations, excluding reciprocals. Estimates of general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for fiber length based on Griffing’s diallel Model I, Method 4 were calculated for high volume instrumentation (HVI) upper-half mean (UHM) fiber length and advance fiber information system (AFIS) mean fiber length by weight (FLw), mean fiber length by number (FLn), upper quartile length by weight (Uqlw), fiber length distribution cross entropy (using 3 different standard or check distributions - CEA, CEB, and CEC), fiber length distribution kurtosis (FLwKurt), and fiber length distribution skewness (FLwSkew) for FLw. Across environments, GCA effects were significant for fiber length measurements of UHM, FLw, FLn, Uqlw, and SFCw and distribution measurements of CEA, CEB, FLwKurt, and FLwSkew. On the basis of GCA effects, TAM 94L-25 was the best parent to be used in a cross to improve upland fiber length, while Acala 1517-99 was the parent of choice to improve distribution among the 4 parents tested. The inheritance of AFIS fiber length measurements and distribution data was estimated using parents, F1, F2, and backcross generations. The magnitude and significance of the estimates for non-allelic effects in the parental combinations suggest that epistatic gene effects are present and important in the basic mechanism of AFIS fiber length and length distribution inheritance for the populations studied. Gene effects and variances for all AFIS fiber length and distribution data measurements were inherited differently in different environments and specific parental combination, suggesting environmentally specific mechanisms. Developing genotypes with enhanced fiber length and an optimal fiber length distribution should be a priority to improve spinning performance and product quality of U.S. upland cotton.

This thesis investigates the impact of yarn and fabric structure on the mechanical recyclability of textile structures. It focuses on variations in yarn twist and form (single or plied) as well as fabric type (woven or knitted) and their respective constructions. The study involved evaluating the mechanical recyclability of 21 cotton textile structures in different constructions, including woven and knitted fabrics, each made using one of the four yarns prepared for this study. The mechanical recyclability was evaluated based on the opening efficiency of the textile structures, together with the average mean fiber length and short fiber content post-tearing. According to the evaluation, a higher fraction of fibers sorted as open and longer fibers resulting from tearing indicated higher recyclability. Based on the evaluation, it was observed that the single yarns tended to be more favorable for mechanical recycling compared to plied yarns. In addition, the effect of the yarn plying twist was multifaceted, with lower yarn twists not necessarily benefiting recyclability. Testing was also conducted to characterize the yarn and fabric structures concerning properties such as count, strength, yarn twist, and thread density of the fabrics. It could be seen that it is of higher relevance to categories of fabric structures based on their density than their fabric type (weaved or knitted) in terms of recyclability. The denser fabric structures' recyclability was more dependent on their fabric construction, whereas, in less dense fabric structures, the yarn structure appeared to have a greater impact. Therefore, determining the interaction of the yarn and fabric structures is important to understand how variations in yarn and fabric structures impact the recyclability of textile structures.

O emprego de compósitos na construção civil, como os de matriz cimentícia e pasta reforçada com fibras, tem se disseminado consideravelmente nos últimos anos. Uma grande variedade de fibras sintéticas, como o polipropileno, tem sido utilizada com sucesso para reforçar compósitos cimentícios. No entanto, o interesse mundial na utilização de produtos com menor impacto ambiental estimula a busca por materiais para substituir fibras sintéticas. As fibras vegetais, biodegradáveis, pode ser ótima alternativa devido à abundância, ao baixo custo, ao menor consumo de energia para sua produção e às propriedades mecânicas apropriadas. Fibra de curauá, planta nativa do estado do Amazonas, com plantações em escala comercial, é usada na fabricação de cordas, cestos ou como reforço em matrizes orgânicas. Suas propriedades mecânicas são semelhantes às de polipropileno. A tecnologia de extrusão é viável nas indústrias de fibrocimento, pois produz compósitos com matriz de alta densidade e ótimo empacotamento, baixa permeabilidade e boa adesão fibra matriz. No entanto, o processo de extrusão bem-sucedido de produtos cimentícios depende principalmente das propriedades reológicas do cimento fresco reforçado com fibras. As fibras vegetais podem promover o sequestro de água e interferir fortemente no escoamento, na coesão e no fluxo de pasta de cimento fresco. A incorporação de fibras vegetais influencia os materiais à base de cimento no estado fresco e afeta propriedades no estado endurecido. Neste contexto, o objetivo da pesquisa é avaliar a influência das fibras de curauá e de polipropileno em propriedades reológicas e em propriedades mecânicas da pasta de cimento fresco. Foram preparadas formulações sem fibras, como referência, e com 1 e 2% de reforço em massa, fibras com comprimento de 6 e 10 mm. Utilizaram-se duas técnicas reológicas: Squeeze flow e reômetro extrusor para analisar o fluxo de pastas cimentícias. Por meio de dados experimentais, como força/deslocamento, e de análise numérica da pressão do reômetro extrusor, foram determinados: tensão inicial de cisalhamento (σ0), limite de cisalhamento (τ0), tensão de escoamento (α) e tensão de cisalhamento (β). As propriedades mecânicas foram determinadas em máquina de ensaio MTS. Módulo de ruptura (MOR), tenacidade à fratura (TFT) e energia de fratura (EF) foram calculados. Os resultados reológicos indicam que a pasta cimentícia reforçada com fibras de curauá apresentou maior força, menor deslocamento e aumento da pressão de extrusão em fibras de curauá em relação às pastas cimentícias reforçadas com fibras de polipropileno. O comprimento das fibras influenciou mais o fluxo da mistura do que o teor de fibra. Compósitos cimentícios reforçados com fibra de polipropileno apresentaram melhores resultados mecânicos de MOR, TFT e EF em relação aos compósitos reforçados com curauá. Após os 200 ciclos de envelhecimento, os resultados mecânicos dos compósitos reforçados com as fibras de curauá diminuíram devido a mineralização das fibras. Os resultados de nanoindentação, como dureza e módulo elástico, aumentaram após os 200 ciclos. As metodologias aplicadas para avaliar o comportamento reológico e mecânico do fibrocimento durante a extrusão facilitará a futura transferência dessa tecnologia ao setor produtivo, com produtos potencialmente de melhor qualidade. / The use of composites in construction, as matrix and paste cement reinforced with fibers, has spread considerably in recent years. A wide variety of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene have been successfully used to reinforce cementitious composites. However, worldwide interest in the use of products with lower environmental impact stimulates the search for materials to replace synthetic fiber. Vegetable fiber, biodegradable, can be a great alternative because of the abundance, low cost, the lowest energy consumption for its production, appropriate mechanical properties. Curauá fiber, native plant from Amazon, with crops on a commercial scale, is used in the manufacture of ropes, baskets or as reinforcement in organic matrix. Its mechanical properties are similar to those of polypropylene. Extrusion technology is feasible in the fibercement industry, because it produces composites with high density matrix and great packaging, low permeability and good adhesion fiber matrix. However, successful extrusion process of cementitious products mainly depends on the rheological properties of fresh cement reinforced with fibers. The vegetable fibers can promote water kidnapping and strongly interfere in the flow, cohesion and fresh cement slurry flow. The incorporation of vegetable fibers influences the based cementitious materials in the fresh state and affects properties in the hardened state. In this context, the objective of the research is to evaluate the influence of curauá and polypropylene fiber in rheological and mechanical properties of fresh cement paste. Formulations without fiber, used as reference, 1 and 2% content by weight of reinforcement, fibers with a length of 6 to 10 mm were prepared. Two rheological techniques were used: Squeeze flow and extruder rheometer to analyze the flow of cement pastes. Through experimental data, as strength/displacement and numerical analysis of the pressure extruder rheometer were determined: yield stress corresponding to zero velocity (σ0), initial shear stress (τ0), effect of the velocity on yield stress (α) and effect of velocity in the shear stress (β). The mechanical properties were determined in MTS testing machine. Modulus of rupture (MOR), fracture toughness (TFT) and fracture energy (EF) were calculated. The rheological results indicate that the cement paste reinforced with curauá fiber showed higher strength, smaller displacement and increased extrusion pressure with curauá fibers compared to cementitious paste reinforced with polypropylene fibers. The length of the fibers influence the flow of the mixture more than the fiber content. Composites reinforced with polypropylene fibers presented higher values of MOR, TFT and EF compared to composites reinforced with curauá fiber. After 200 ageing cycles, the mechanical results of composites reinforced with curauá fibers decreased due to mineralization of the fibers. The nanoindentation results, as hardness and elastic modulus, increased after 200 cycles. The methodologies used to assess the rheological and mechanical behavior of fibercement during extrusion facilitate future transfer of this technology to the productive sector, with potentially higher quality products.

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.

O emprego de compósitos na construção civil, como os de matriz cimentícia e pasta reforçada com fibras, tem se disseminado consideravelmente nos últimos anos. Uma grande variedade de fibras sintéticas, como o polipropileno, tem sido utilizada com sucesso para reforçar compósitos cimentícios. No entanto, o interesse mundial na utilização de produtos com menor impacto ambiental estimula a busca por materiais para substituir fibras sintéticas. As fibras vegetais, biodegradáveis, pode ser ótima alternativa devido à abundância, ao baixo custo, ao menor consumo de energia para sua produção e às propriedades mecânicas apropriadas. Fibra de curauá, planta nativa do estado do Amazonas, com plantações em escala comercial, é usada na fabricação de cordas, cestos ou como reforço em matrizes orgânicas. Suas propriedades mecânicas são semelhantes às de polipropileno. A tecnologia de extrusão é viável nas indústrias de fibrocimento, pois produz compósitos com matriz de alta densidade e ótimo empacotamento, baixa permeabilidade e boa adesão fibra matriz. No entanto, o processo de extrusão bem-sucedido de produtos cimentícios depende principalmente das propriedades reológicas do cimento fresco reforçado com fibras. As fibras vegetais podem promover o sequestro de água e interferir fortemente no escoamento, na coesão e no fluxo de pasta de cimento fresco. A incorporação de fibras vegetais influencia os materiais à base de cimento no estado fresco e afeta propriedades no estado endurecido. Neste contexto, o objetivo da pesquisa é avaliar a influência das fibras de curauá e de polipropileno em propriedades reológicas e em propriedades mecânicas da pasta de cimento fresco. Foram preparadas formulações sem fibras, como referência, e com 1 e 2% de reforço em massa, fibras com comprimento de 6 e 10 mm. Utilizaram-se duas técnicas reológicas: Squeeze flow e reômetro extrusor para analisar o fluxo de pastas cimentícias. Por meio de dados experimentais, como força/deslocamento, e de análise numérica da pressão do reômetro extrusor, foram determinados: tensão inicial de cisalhamento (σ0), limite de cisalhamento (τ0), tensão de escoamento (α) e tensão de cisalhamento (β). As propriedades mecânicas foram determinadas em máquina de ensaio MTS. Módulo de ruptura (MOR), tenacidade à fratura (TFT) e energia de fratura (EF) foram calculados. Os resultados reológicos indicam que a pasta cimentícia reforçada com fibras de curauá apresentou maior força, menor deslocamento e aumento da pressão de extrusão em fibras de curauá em relação às pastas cimentícias reforçadas com fibras de polipropileno. O comprimento das fibras influenciou mais o fluxo da mistura do que o teor de fibra. Compósitos cimentícios reforçados com fibra de polipropileno apresentaram melhores resultados mecânicos de MOR, TFT e EF em relação aos compósitos reforçados com curauá. Após os 200 ciclos de envelhecimento, os resultados mecânicos dos compósitos reforçados com as fibras de curauá diminuíram devido a mineralização das fibras. Os resultados de nanoindentação, como dureza e módulo elástico, aumentaram após os 200 ciclos. As metodologias aplicadas para avaliar o comportamento reológico e mecânico do fibrocimento durante a extrusão facilitará a futura transferência dessa tecnologia ao setor produtivo, com produtos potencialmente de melhor qualidade. / The use of composites in construction, as matrix and paste cement reinforced with fibers, has spread considerably in recent years. A wide variety of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene have been successfully used to reinforce cementitious composites. However, worldwide interest in the use of products with lower environmental impact stimulates the search for materials to replace synthetic fiber. Vegetable fiber, biodegradable, can be a great alternative because of the abundance, low cost, the lowest energy consumption for its production, appropriate mechanical properties. Curauá fiber, native plant from Amazon, with crops on a commercial scale, is used in the manufacture of ropes, baskets or as reinforcement in organic matrix. Its mechanical properties are similar to those of polypropylene. Extrusion technology is feasible in the fibercement industry, because it produces composites with high density matrix and great packaging, low permeability and good adhesion fiber matrix. However, successful extrusion process of cementitious products mainly depends on the rheological properties of fresh cement reinforced with fibers. The vegetable fibers can promote water kidnapping and strongly interfere in the flow, cohesion and fresh cement slurry flow. The incorporation of vegetable fibers influences the based cementitious materials in the fresh state and affects properties in the hardened state. In this context, the objective of the research is to evaluate the influence of curauá and polypropylene fiber in rheological and mechanical properties of fresh cement paste. Formulations without fiber, used as reference, 1 and 2% content by weight of reinforcement, fibers with a length of 6 to 10 mm were prepared. Two rheological techniques were used: Squeeze flow and extruder rheometer to analyze the flow of cement pastes. Through experimental data, as strength/displacement and numerical analysis of the pressure extruder rheometer were determined: yield stress corresponding to zero velocity (σ0), initial shear stress (τ0), effect of the velocity on yield stress (α) and effect of velocity in the shear stress (β). The mechanical properties were determined in MTS testing machine. Modulus of rupture (MOR), fracture toughness (TFT) and fracture energy (EF) were calculated. The rheological results indicate that the cement paste reinforced with curauá fiber showed higher strength, smaller displacement and increased extrusion pressure with curauá fibers compared to cementitious paste reinforced with polypropylene fibers. The length of the fibers influence the flow of the mixture more than the fiber content. Composites reinforced with polypropylene fibers presented higher values of MOR, TFT and EF compared to composites reinforced with curauá fiber. After 200 ageing cycles, the mechanical results of composites reinforced with curauá fibers decreased due to mineralization of the fibers. The nanoindentation results, as hardness and elastic modulus, increased after 200 cycles. The methodologies used to assess the rheological and mechanical behavior of fibercement during extrusion facilitate future transfer of this technology to the productive sector, with potentially higher quality products.

The current trends in papermaking involve, but are not limited to, maintaining the dry strength of paper material at a reduced cost. Since any small changes in the process affect several factors at once, it is difficult to relate the exact impact of these changes promptly. Hence, the detailed models of the network level of a dry sheet have to be studied extensively in order to attain the infinitesimal changes in the final product. In Paper A, we have investigated a relation between micromechanical processes and the stress–strain curve of a dry fiber network during tensile loading. The impact of “non-traditional” bonding parameters, such as compliance of bonding regions, work of separation and the actual number of effective bonds, is discussed. In Paper B, we studied the impact of the chemical composition of the fiber cell wall, as well as its geometrical properties, on the fiber mechanical properties using the three-dimensional model of a fiber with helical orientation of microfibrils at a range of different microfibril angles (MFA). In order to accurately characterize the fiber and bond properties inside the network, via statistical distributions, microtomography studies on the handsheets have been carried out. This work is divided into two parts: Paper C, which describes the methods of data acquisition and Paper D, where we discuss the extracted data. Here, all measurements were performed at a fiber level, providing data on the fiber width distribution, width-to-height ratio of isotropically oriented fibers and contact density. In the last paper, we utilize data thus obtained in conjunction with fiber morphology data from Papers C and D to update the network generation algorithm in order to produce more realistic fiber networks. We also successfully verified the models with the help of experimental results from dry sheets tested under uniaxial tensile tests. We carry out numerical simulations on these networks to ascertain the influence of fiber and bond parameters on the network strength properties. / <p>QC 20160613</p>

In this work, the material distribution, structure of fiber orientation and fiber attrition in sandwich and push-pull injection molded short fiber composites are investigated, regarding the effect of fiber content and processing parameters, given its direct relevance to mechanical properties. The prediction of the tensile strength of conventional, sandwich and push-pull injection molded short fiber composites are derived by an analytical method of modified rule of mixtures as a function of the area fraction between skin and core layers. The effects of fiber length and fiber orientation on the tensile strength are studied in detail. Modeling of the specialized injection molding processes have been developed and performed with the simulation program in order to predict the material distribution and the fiber orientation state. The secondorder orientation tensor (a11) approach is used to describe and calculate the local fiber orientation state. The accuracy of the model prediction is verified by comparing with corresponding experimental measurements to gain a further basic understanding of the melt flow induced fiber orientation during sandwich and push-pull injection molding processes.

This diploma thesis will discuss possibilities of using inorganic fibers to improve the mechanical properties of the resulting physical body bricks. Assessment of the effect of fiber length, fiber thickness is in the order of micrometers. In this work we were used fibers which are commercially produced for the purpose of reinforcement, but also waste fibers, which mainly serves as an insulator.