About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
2026 Technical Division Student Poster Contest
|
| Presentation Title |
SPU-42: Enhancement of Mechanical Properties in Flax Fibers and Composites by Supercritical Fluid and TiO2 Nanoparticles Treatment |
| Author(s) |
Amiya Johnson, Dandan Zhang, Vijai Venkatesh, Eric Waswick, Dimitri Panergo, Amy Langhorst, Alan I Taub, Mihaela Banu |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Amiya Johnson |
| Abstract Scope |
Natural fibers are used as reinforcement for polymer matrices due to their characteristics of being renewable, cost-effective, lightweight, and naturally biodegradable. To replace glass fibers with natural fibers and use them in structural polymer composites for vehicle application to reduce the carbon footprint, the mechanical properties of the natural fibers need further improvement. Previous studies have found supercritical CO2 treatment to notably increase flax fiber mechanical properties in thick technical fibers and composites. In this study, flax fibers were treated using supercritical carbon dioxide, Nitrogen, or Argon with and without Titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and then tested as single fibers and in composites. After treatment with supercritical CO2 and TiO2, the modulus and strength of the thin technical fibers improved by 17% and 53% respectively. Preliminary testing with composites also showed improved mechanical properties for the supercritical fluid treated fibers and is being continued to achieve more consistent results. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |
| Keywords |
Composites, Sustainability, |