Surfaces and Interfaces in Natural Fibre Reinforced Composites

Nicolas Le Moigne (Dr. Ing.) is Associate Professor at IMT Mines Alès. His current research areas include the processing of bio-based polymers and (nano)composites and the characterization of their physical chemical and rheological properties, with emphasis on reinforcement / matrix interactions. Since 2005, he is involved in research projects aiming at studying and improving the selection, physical and chemical treatment, and processing of biomass (lignocellulosic fibres and microalgae) for the development of bio-based polymeric materials in packaging and structural applications.
Belkacem Otazaghine (Dr.) is Associate Professor at IMT Mines Alès. He ob-tained his Ph.D. degree in 2003 working on molecular and macromolecular syn-thesis in the field of the controlled radical polymerization of fluorinated mono-mers. His main research projects are in the field of the chemical modification of mineral and organic nanoparticles and natural fibres for the control of composites structure and properties.
Stéphane Corn (Dr. Ing.) is Associate Professor at IMT Mines Alès. His research interests relate to the mechanical behaviour of composite materials and especially the assessment of their properties from multiscale numerical modelling. He is also a lecturer in the area of structural dynamics. He is involved in research projects dedicated to the improvement of natural fibre reinforced composites.
Hélène Angellier-Coussy (Dr. Ing. HDR) is Associate Professor at the Technical Institute of the University of Montpellier. She is working on the development of sustainable materials for food packaging applications. Her research activities are focused on the formalization of structure/properties relationships in bio(nano)composites, with a particular attention to better understand the impact of the interphase on mass transfer properties. She is particularly involved in projects dealing with the conversion oflignocellulosic agro-residues for the production of eco-efficient fillers.
Anne Bergeret (Prof.) holds a Chemical Engineering Diploma and a PhD in Poly-mer and Composite Materials. She worked as expert in glass fibre sizing for com-posite materials at Owens Corning Co. before being involved at IMT Mines Alès. Currently, she manages the Advanced Polymer Materials department at Centre des Matériaux des Mines d'Alès. In the field of polymer composite materials, she has experience in surface treatments of glass and natural fibres and in the improvement of composite performances in severe in-service conditions.

This book is addressed to Master and PhD students as well as researchers from academia and industry. It aims to provide the key definitions to understand the issues related to interface modifications in natural fibre based composites considering the particular supramolecular and micro- structures encountered in plant fibres. A particular emphasis is given to the modification and functionalization strategies of natural fibres and their impact on biocomposites behaviour and properties. Commonly used and newly developed treatment processes are described in view of scaling-up natural fibre treatments for their implementation in industry. Finally, a detailed and comprehensive description of the tools and methodologies developed to investigate and characterize surfaces and interfaces in natural fibre based composites is reviewed and discussed.

Aimed at students as well as researchers in both academia and industry

General introduction : aim and scope.- Introduction on natural fibre structure : from molecular to microstructural levels.- Interface/interphase in natural fibre based composites : definitions and roles.- Modification of the interface/interphase in natural fibre based composites : strategies and processes.- Pre-treatments ("surface preparation").- Characterization of the fibre surface and localization of the grafted molecules