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Contact Dewatering Of Cellulose Nanofibers For Biopolymer Composite Applications, Alexander Collins
Contact Dewatering Of Cellulose Nanofibers For Biopolymer Composite Applications, Alexander Collins
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cellulose Nanofibrils (CNFs) are promising materials for reinforcement of polymer matrices attributable to their impressive physical and mechanical properties, as well as their biodegradability. However, the utilization of these materials in composites is made challenging by the water content of CNF slurries, the tendency of CNFs to agglomerate as they dry, and incompatibility between hydrophilic CNFs and hydrophobic polymer matrices. The most commercially viable drying methods to produce small-scale dry CNFs, such as spray drying, are very energy intensive, can only dry the materials down to micron-scale agglomerates, and do not preserve fibrillar aspect ratios. “Contact dewatering,” or the removal …
Development Of A Ligno-Cellulosic Polymeric And Reinforced Sheet Molding Compound (Smc), Ryan Harris Mills
Development Of A Ligno-Cellulosic Polymeric And Reinforced Sheet Molding Compound (Smc), Ryan Harris Mills
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The overall objective of this dissertation was to study the surface energy and acid-base characteristics of natural fibers, glass, a wood extract, and a sheet molding compound prepreg to facilitate the fabrication of totally synthetic and partially renewable sheet molding compounds (SMCs). The water absorption and micro-mechanical performance of the totally synthetic and partially renewable SMC composites were compared through accelerated aging experiments. Reinforcing glass sized for polyester, bast kenaf fibers, hot water extract from Acer rubrum, and a dicyclopentadiene modified polyester prepreg were analyzed by inverse gas chromatography to evaluate and help predict how the various components may interact …