Modifications Caused by Enzyme-Retting and Their Effect on Composite Performance. (19th September 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Foulk, Jonn A.; Rho, Denis; Alcock, Mercedes M.; Ulven, Chad A.; Huo, Shanshan
• Other Names: Abdul Khalil H. P. S. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Advances in materials science and engineering. Volume 2011(2011)
• Publication Date: 2011-09-19
• Subjects: Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials science; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1155/2011/179023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-8434

Abstract

Abstract : Bethune seed flax was collected from Canada with seed removed using a stripper header and straw pulled and left in field for several weeks. Unretted straw was decorticated providing a coarse fiber bundle feedstock for enzyme treatments. Enzyme treatments using a bacterial pectinolytic enzyme with lyase activity were conducted in lab-scale reactors. Four fiber specimens were created: no retting, minimal retting, moderate retting, and full retting. Fiber characterization tests: strength, elongation, diameter, metal content, wax content, and pH were conducted with significant differences between fibers. Thermosetting vinyl ester resin was used to produce composite panels via vacuum-assisted infusion. Composite performance was evaluated using fiber bundle pull-out, tensile, impact, and interlaminar shear tests. Composite tests indicate that composite panels are largely unchanged among fiber samples. Variation in composite performance might not be realized due to poor interfacial bonding being of larger impact than the more subtle changes incurred by the enzyme treatment.