Effect of chemical treatments of arundo donax L. fibre on mechanical and thermal properties of the PLA/PP blend composite filament for FDM 3D printing

Arundo donax L. is investigated in this study as a suitable reinforcing agent for PLA/PP waste blend 3D printing filament. To improve the compatibility of the fibre and polymer, the Arundo fibre was chemically modified using alkali and silane treatment. Untreated and treated fibres were extruded with Polymer blends before being 3D printed. Effect of chemical treatment on thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of the composites was investigated. The tensile, Izod impact, and water absorption of the 3D printed specimens were also tested. The Alkali treated (ALK) and combination of alkali and silane treatment (SLN) composites displayed good results. Tensile strength and modulus of the materials increased, as well as their maintained stability in the Izod impact test, demonstrating that the incorporation of ArF did not result in a loss in performance. SEM examination supported these findings by confirming the creation of beneficial interfacial contacts between the matrix and fibre components, as demonstrated by the lack of void between the matrix and the fibre surface. Furthermore, the alkali treatment of the ArF resulted in a considerable reduction in water absorption inside the biocomposite, with a 64% reduction seen in ALK composite comparison to the untreated composite (Un). After the 43-day assessment period.

Characterization of a novel natural cellulosic fiber from Juncus effusus L

This study aims to assess the morphology and properties of fibers extracted from a wild natural plant largely available in Algeria known as Juncus effusus L. (JE). The morphology and diameter of the fiber bundles extracted from the stem of the JE plant were characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The functional groups of the extracted lignocellulosic JE fibers were studied by FTIR, their thermal degradation behavior was investigated by TGA and their crystallinity was determined using X-ray diffraction technique. In addition, mechanical characterization was carried out using tensile tests on the lignocellulosic fiber in order to evaluate their strength, strain at break and Young's modulus. In view of the dispersion in the obtained experimental results, the latter were analyzed using the Weibull statistical laws with two and three parameters.