Improving biocomposites properties through fibre treatement
General background:
Using plant fiber in polymer composites is especially interesting for construction since natural
fibers exhibit comparative good mechanical properties with small specific weight, which defines
the potential for lightweight constructions. The use of renewable resources, will affect the
ecosystem favorably and the production costs of construction materials could also decrease.
However, one disadvantage of natural fibers in plastics is their hydrophilic properties. In
construction the materials need to meet special requirements like the resistance against
fluctuating weather conditions. In contrast to synthetic fibers, the natural ones are more
moisture- and UV-radiation-sensitive. That may lead to degradation of these materials and a
decreasing in quality of products. Tanatex and NPSP have approached CoE BBE/Avans to assist in
a study where the influence of moisture on natural/cellulosic fiber treated with different
products of Tanatex will be evaluated.
Goal of internship:
– Modify fibers to improve the moisture and aging properties of the biocomposites
Activities:
The Project involves:
1. Textile/fiber preparation and modification
2. Composites preparation
3. Moisture absorption tests
4. Effect of aging (accelerated weathering a QUV tester) on mechanical properties.
Starting date
September 2020. The length of the assignment is 5 months. The student who will execute the assignment
gets a fee of €350,- per month.
The intern will be part of a research team lead by the adviser and supervised by Willem Bottger.
Desirable skills/qualities of the student
The student should be able to carry out independent laboratory research. The preferred background is
chemistry and chemical engineering. The interest in biocomposite is a pre.
The student is expected to work in the company NPSP in Amsterdam:
NPSP BV
Moezelhavenweg 9
1043 AM Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Contact:
Contact person concerning this assignment : Qian Zhou
Phone : +316 10224446
E-mail : q.zhou1@avans.nl
Visiting address : Centre of Expertise Biobased Economy
Street / number, areal code and place : Lovendijkstraat 63, Breda
Postal address : 4800 RA