Influence of various chemical treatments on the interactions between hemp fibres and a lime matrix

In this paper, results presented concern both the chemical and physical behaviours; of hemp fibres in lime-based mineral matrix in order to better understand the role of chemical modifications of cellulosic fibres in the evolution of the macroscopic properties, essentially mechanical ones, of such composite materials. The role of fibres surface treatment has been also studied through various chemical treatments applied on hemp fibres. In a first step, the influence of such treatments on the fibre characteristics has been investigated by several means, such as scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy, in order to evaluate their consequences on the fibre behaviour itself. Secondly, an attempt to characterise the influence of the various chemical treatments of fibres on the mechanical behaviour of hemp reinforced lime-based composites has been completed by a three points bending testing campaign. According to the results, it seems that the modifications induced by specific chemical treatments (EDTA, NaOH) on fibres play a major role in the strengthening of the lime/fibres interface but also in the improvement of the overall stiffness of the composite (with respect to the one reinforced by untreated fibres) most probably related to a specific stiffening process of the fibre itself. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.