Development of High-Strength Composites with Sustainable Fibers for Structural Applications

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorKibria, Md Golam
dc.contributor.advisorHu, Jinguang
dc.contributor.authorSarker, Rahul
dc.contributor.committeememberSumon, Kazi Z
dc.contributor.committeememberTrifkovic, Milana
dc.date2024-11-14
dc.date.accessioned2024-09-19T20:18:29Z
dc.date.available2024-09-19T20:18:29Z
dc.date.issued2024-09-18
dc.description.abstractDespite Canada's abundant biomass resources, a significant portion remains underutilized due to a lack of large-scale industrial applications. This research explores the utilization of low-value biomass, specifically aspen fiber, in fused filament fabrication (FFF) to develop biocomposites. Various chemical treatments (NaOH, silane, and maleic anhydride (MA)) were applied to improve fiber compatibility with polylactic acid (PLA). Both untreated and treated fibers at 10% loading were blended with PLA and extruded into 3D printable filaments. Results showed that MA-treated fiber-based composites had around 15% higher tensile strength and modulus, along with a 30% enhancement in storage modulus than untreated ones. Additionally, a 25% reduction in water uptake was witnessed in MA-treated aspen-derived composites. Successfully 3D-printed biocomposites with up to 30% fiber loading were achieved without nozzle clogging, though higher fiber loading negatively impacted mechanical properties. This study also investigates the potential of CNT incorporation in asphaltene-derived carbon fibers and the impact of carbon fiber reinforcement to enhance the mechanical properties of biocomposites. This research contributes to the development of sustainable and high-performance composite materials by exploring the potential of underutilized resources and advanced manufacturing techniques.
dc.identifier.citationSarker, R. (2024). Development of high-strength composites with sustainable fibers for structural applications (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1880/119824
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgary
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectBiocomposites
dc.subject3D printing
dc.subjectChemical treatment
dc.subjectPLA
dc.subjectUnderutilized biomass
dc.subjectCNT
dc.subjectProbe sonication
dc.subjectAsphaltene-derived Carbon Fiber
dc.subject.classificationEngineering
dc.titleDevelopment of High-Strength Composites with Sustainable Fibers for Structural Applications
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineering – Chemical & Petroleum
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudentI do not require a thesis withhold – my thesis will have open access and can be viewed and downloaded publicly as soon as possible.
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
ucalgary_2024_sarker_rahul.pdf
Size:
10.06 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
2.62 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Open Theses and Dissertations