title: Production and Characterization of Laminates of Paper and Cellulose Nanofibrils.
abstract: A novel laminate system comprising of sheets of paper bound together using cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) is manufactured and characterized. Bonding properties of CNF were first confirmed through a series of peeling tests. Composite laminates were manufactured from sheets of paper bonded together using CNF at two different consistencies, press times, and press temperatures. Mechanical properties of the laminates in tension and bending were characterized and the results were statistically analyzed. Elastic modulus and strength results met or exceeded those of a short glass fiber reinforced polypropylene and various natural fiber-filled polypropylene composites as well as some wood and paper based laminates. Stiffness properties, assuming perfect bonding within the laminates, were successfully estimated through a classical laminated plate theory (CLPT) with only 2-10% variation compared to experimental results. Laminates, together with CNF-peeled surfaces, were observed and qualitatively analyzed by SEM imaging. Physical properties, namely, water absorption and thickness swelling were measured. Swelling was controlled by the addition of a small percentage of a cross-linking additive.
authors: School of Forest Resources and Advanced Structures and Composites Center, University of Maine , Orono, Maine 04469-5755, United States.
authors: Niloofar
authors: N
authors: Yousefi Shivyari
authors: School of Forest Resources and Advanced Structures and Composites Center, University of Maine , Orono, Maine 04469-5755, United States.
authors: Mehdi
authors: M
authors: Tajvidi
authors: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Maine , Orono, Maine 04469-5737, United States.
authors: Douglas W
authors: DW
authors: Bousfield
authors: School of Forest Resources and Advanced Structures and Composites Center, University of Maine , Orono, Maine 04469-5755, United States.
authors: Douglas J
authors: DJ
authors: Gardner
keywords: binder; cellulose nanofibrils; laminate; mechanical properties; paper