Evaluating the potential of high SSA biochar particles produced via microwave pyrolysis as reinforcing filler in pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer composites

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dc.contributor.advisorAfzal, Muhammad
dc.contributor.advisorSaha, Gobinda
dc.contributor.authorBowlby, Lucas
dc.date.accessioned2023-03-01T16:20:26Z
dc.date.available2023-03-01T16:20:26Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.date.updated2019-01-07T00:00:00Z
dc.description.abstractThis research project focuses on the design, manufacturing, characterization, and mechanical testing of a novel biocomposite by combining two materials research areas, namely fiber-reinforced polymer composites and renewable biomaterials. High specific-surface-area (SSA) biochar particles were synthesized via microwave-assisted (MW) pyrolysis of biomass. Two feedstocks were wood-based, namely maple and spruce, and the third was an agricultural biomass, switchgrass. Produced biochar was characterized, with an emphasis on porosity and surface area properties. Wood-based feedstocks performed favorably compared to switchgrass, with spruce having a surface area in excess of 200 m2/g. Biochar particles were introduced into a biocomposite design-of-experiments via an in-house pultrusion machine, employing E-glass fibers and a vinylester polymer resin. Three-point-bending tests were conducted to evaluate the flexural strength and modulus properties of the biocomposites and were compared to their conventional GFRP counterpart. Spruce-based biochar biocomposite, at 10% volume fraction, demonstrated a flexural strength of 970 MPa, showing a significant increase compared to the 450 MPa flexural strength of the control GFRP. Control GFRP composites showed a compressive-dominant failure, where the polymer matrix folded over at the point of load application. Biochar particles, due to their inherent hardness, significantly enhanced the compressive performance of the biocomposites, allowing for higher flexural stresses to be withstood, yielding a tensile-dominant failure. Moreover, a mechanical interlocking was observed between the resin and biochar structure, describing the variation in flexural strengths of produced biocomposites.
dc.description.copyright©Lucas Bowlby, 2018
dc.description.noteM.Sc.E. University of New Brunswick, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2018.
dc.formattext/xml
dc.format.extentxiii, 109 pages ; illustrations
dc.format.mediumelectronic
dc.identifier.oclc(OCoLC)1080642577
dc.identifier.otherThesis 10102
dc.identifier.urihttps://unbscholar.lib.unb.ca/handle/1882/13567
dc.language.isoen_CA
dc.publisherUniversity of New Brunswick
dc.rightshttp://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2
dc.subject.disciplineMechanical Engineering
dc.subject.lcshPolymeric composites -- Research.
dc.subject.lcshBiopolymers -- Research.
dc.subject.lcshBiochar -- Research.
dc.subject.lcshPyrolysis -- Research.
dc.subject.lcshPlant polymers -- Research.
dc.subject.lcshFibrous composites -- Research.
dc.subject.lcshRenewable natural resources -- Research.
dc.subject.lcshSustainable engineering -- Research.
dc.titleEvaluating the potential of high SSA biochar particles produced via microwave pyrolysis as reinforcing filler in pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer composites
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineMechanical Engineering
thesis.degree.fullnameMaster of Science in Engineering
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of New Brunswick
thesis.degree.levelmasters
thesis.degree.nameM.Sc.E.

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