Evaluation of linden fibre as a potential reinforcement material for polymer composites

The aim of this study is to characterize linden fibres as a novel cellulose-based fibre to be used as a reinforcement material in composites and to investigate the adhesion property to unsaturated polyester. Up to now, there is no report regarding the potential usability of linden fibre in composite applications. Linden fibres were extracted from the stem of a plant of Tilia rubra DC. subsp. caucasica (Rupr.) V.Engl. Characterization of linden fibres was studied by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, tensile and pull-out tests. Morphological properties of the fibres were observed through scanning electron and optical microscopes. Initial degradation temperature of the linden fibre was reported to be 238℃. The tensile strength and the Young’s modulus of the linden fibres were calculated to be 675.4 ± 45.7 MPa and 61.0 ± 9.8 GPa, respectively. The interfacial shear strength of the linden fibre with unsaturated polyester matrix was computed as 26.15 ± 2.27 MPa via pullout test. This study offers an alternative and eco-friendly reinforcement material which may have usability potential in polymeric composites.