title: Manufacturing and characterization of sustainable hybrid composites using sisal and hemp fibres as reinforcement of poly (lactic acid) via injection moulding

authors: Pappu, Asokan

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Natural polymers based composites offers significant advantages over synthetic fibre reinforced petroleum matrix based composites with regard to biodegradability, biocompatibility, design flexibility and sustainability. This work reports for the first time manufacturing of hybrid fibre reinforced biodegradable composites using sisal and hemp fibre with polylactic acid employing melt processing and injection moulding techniques. Granulated sisal and hemp fibres were blended and hybrid composites were manufactured using aliphatic polyester made up of lactic acid (PLA) through extrusion and injection moulding and their performance was evaluated. Experimental results revealed that density, elongation at break and water absorption capacity of hybrid composites were 1.14 ± 0.07 g/cm³, 0.93 ± 0.35% and 1.06 ± 0.18% respectively. The achieved mean tensile strength (46.25 ± 6.75 MPa), Young’s modulus (6.1 ± 0.58 GPa) and specific tensile strength (38.86 ± 5.0) of hybrid fibre reinforced PLA composites were improved compared to neat PLA. The flexural strength (94.83 ± 11.21 MPa), flexural modulus (6.04 ± 0.55 GPA) and specific flexural strength (79.76 ± 8.80) of hybrid fibre composites also showed better performance than those of neat PLA. Incorporation of sisal and hemp fibre with polylactide remarkably increased the impact strength of composites. Overall, the hybrid composites demonstrated good performance suggesting that they have great potential for use as an environmentally friendly alternative material in automotive, packaging, electronics, interiors and agricultural applications.

text: Manufacturing and characterization of sustainable hybrid composites using sisal and hemp fibres as reinforcement of poly (lactic acid) via injection moulding Natural polymers based composites offers significant advantages over synthetic fibre reinforced petroleum matrix based composites with regard to biodegradability, biocompatibility, design flexibility and sustainability. This work reports for the first time manufacturing of hybrid fibre reinforced biodegradable composites using sisal and hemp fibre with polylactic acid employing melt processing and injection moulding techniques. Granulated sisal and hemp fibres were blended and hybrid composites were manufactured using aliphatic polyester made up of lactic acid (PLA) through extrusion and injection moulding and their performance was evaluated. Experimental results revealed that density, elongation at break and water absorption capacity of hybrid composites were 1.14 ± 0.07 g/cm³, 0.93 ± 0.35% and 1.06 ± 0.18% respectively. The achieved mean tensile strength (46.25 ± 6.75 MPa), Young’s modulus (6.1 ± 0.58 GPa) and specific tensile strength (38.86 ± 5.0) of hybrid fibre reinforced PLA composites were improved compared to neat PLA. The flexural strength (94.83 ± 11.21 MPa), flexural modulus (6.04 ± 0.55 GPA) and specific flexural strength (79.76 ± 8.80) of hybrid fibre composites also showed better performance than those of neat PLA. Incorporation of sisal and hemp fibre with polylactide remarkably increased the impact strength of composites. Overall, the hybrid composites demonstrated good performance suggesting that they have great potential for use as an environmentally friendly alternative material in automotive, packaging, electronics, interiors and agricultural applications.

year: 2019

title: Multi-inlet migration modeling for navigation channel management in Tabusintac Bay, Eastern Canada

authors: Leys, Vincent

subjects: Coastal management

abstract: In New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada, Tabusintac Bay’s multiple tidal inlets meander through narrow barrier islands and are prone to large storm-induced shifts, making navigation hazardous. A multi-evidence assessment comprised of air-photo analysis, field observations and modeling was undertaken to understand the system and recommend sustainable dredging strategies and/or engineering alternatives. The modeling relied on a combination of simple analytical methods for tidal inlet stability, and complex morphological modeling to project the evolution of the nearshore bathymetry. The study recommended reassigning dredging efforts to a new inlet projected to grow and have better stability. Observations two years after the initial modeling effort indicate that the morphological evolution is consistent with the simulation results, and allowed lowered maintenance dredging requirements. This study illustrates how such a multi-evidence assessment of complex coastal dynamics can concretely guide efforts to reduce maintenance dredging and improve safety at sea.

text: Multi-inlet migration modeling for navigation channel management in Tabusintac Bay, Eastern Canada In New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada, Tabusintac Bay’s multiple tidal inlets meander through narrow barrier islands and are prone to large storm-induced shifts, making navigation hazardous. A multi-evidence assessment comprised of air-photo analysis, field observations and modeling was undertaken to understand the system and recommend sustainable dredging strategies and/or engineering alternatives. The modeling relied on a combination of simple analytical methods for tidal inlet stability, and complex morphological modeling to project the evolution of the nearshore bathymetry. The study recommended reassigning dredging efforts to a new inlet projected to grow and have better stability. Observations two years after the initial modeling effort indicate that the morphological evolution is consistent with the simulation results, and allowed lowered maintenance dredging requirements. This study illustrates how such a multi-evidence assessment of complex coastal dynamics can concretely guide efforts to reduce maintenance dredging and improve safety at sea.

year: 2016

title: Report on the bicultural symposium at conference

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

subjects: Maori

abstract: Kia ora koutou. I decided to submit the current paper as a way to say thank you to the large group of people in attendance at the bicultural stream at the national conference in late August that was held at Waikato University. It was their continued presence and participation that served as a catalyst and motivator for this paper. I'm conscious that while there was a large number of people in the symposium, there were other streams occurring at the same time, so I thought giving an overview of the success of the symposium would be a good way to let people know who the symposium went. However, before talking specifically about the symposium, I'd like to give mention to other events of the day...

text: Report on the bicultural symposium at conference Kia ora koutou. I decided to submit the current paper as a way to say thank you to the large group of people in attendance at the bicultural stream at the national conference in late August that was held at Waikato University. It was their continued presence and participation that served as a catalyst and motivator for this paper. I'm conscious that while there was a large number of people in the symposium, there were other streams occurring at the same time, so I thought giving an overview of the success of the symposium would be a good way to let people know who the symposium went. However, before talking specifically about the symposium, I'd like to give mention to other events of the day...

year: 2007