Mechanical characterisation of cytisus scoparius natural fibres – a preliminary
Conference Paper
Overview
Research
View All
Overview
abstract
The use of natural fibres as reinforcement in polymeric matrix composites is gaining
popularity sustained not only by a logical search of more ecological alternatives to the
conventional fibres in the development of renewable products but also by economic
reasons. Although the conventional glass and other synthetic fibre-reinforced plastics
possess high specific strength, their fields of application are limited because of their
inherent higher production cost and their lack of recycling possibilities. The use of
natural fibres from autochthones plants without commercial value for “green”
composites production should be enhanced once the higher value-in-use may mean
increasing the content of a local material (a natural fibre) in the local production of a
part (a composite) [1]. This work’s objective is to provide one first approach to
mechanical characterisation of scotch broom (Cytisus Scoparius) natural fibres in order
of its future use in natural fibre reinforced composites production. Fibres to be tested
have been extracted from year scotch broom branches using traditional techniques that
consisted in smashing the branches, a maceration period, rip them to remove the soft
organic tissue and then naturally dry the obtained fibres. For natural fibres
characterisation was develop a special mounting frames to allow them to be essayed
according the ASTM D2343 – 09 standards [2]. From the extracted data in yield
strength tests over scotch broom fibres it can be concluded that those represent a
promising complimentary choice to other natural fibres in natural fibre reinforced
composites manufacturing, whose application can be settled as medium strength
appliances. Also, usually local non-valuable resource is explored contributing to forest
residues cleaning with added benefits. This works is being followed by polymeric
composite plates production, using these fibres, with a random orientation, as a first
approach, and then with usual defined orientations and its testing in order to realise
which mechanical characteristics can be expected as a composite.
