Composite materials based on wood and nylon fibre

Nylon-wood fibre and polypropylene-wood fibre composite materials were manufactured without any additives to determine the effects of wood fibre on the mechanical properties of the different composites. The raw materials used were eucalypt hardwood fibre, Nylon fibre obtained from stockings, and polypropylene (PP) pellets. A hot press technique was used to manufacture the composite materials, and improvements in the manufacturing methods are suggested. Tests were carried out on the manufactured boards to determine tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. Fracture surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy to investigate failure mechanisms. An increase in tensile strength and modulus of elasticity was observed in wood fibre/Nylon matrix composites, indicating that interfacial bonding occurred between these two phases. Bundles of wood fibres with internal voids prevent achieving maximum mechanical properties. The tensile strength of the PP based composites decreased significantly with increasing wood fibre content.