Fabrication of hemp fiber-reinforced green composites with organoclay-filled poly(butylene succinate) matrix by pultrusion process

Abstract

Hemp fiber-reinforced green composites with organoclay-filled poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) matrix were fabricated by pultrusion process. Morphological studies revealed that the clay particles were intercalated/ partially exfoliated when the clay content was lower than 6 wt%. The tensile modulus and strength of PBS/25% hemp composites were 15 and 2.9 times of the neat PBS. By adding organoclay to the PBS/hemp composites, the tensile properties of the hybrid composites generally reflected the similar change with the organoclay modified PBS matrix. Upon certain duration of environmental exposure, the degradation of tensile properties of hemp/organoclay/PBS hybrid composites was retarded compared with hemp/PBS composites.