Viewing Sapmles Under an SEM

[SEM picture]

Completed Tensile Testing

On 6/6/12 tensile testing was completed on the composite samples. 4 out of the 5 samples were tested. The 5.00% sample broke before testing and therefore was not tested. the 7.50% sample broke too early during testing so it did not yield good data. Please view the document "Testing Tensile Strength" on the "Documents" page for the complete data set.

Testing Tensile Strength

Today (5/31/12) the group began testing the tensile strength of the PLA/flax composites. In order to test them the composites had to be shaped in a certain fashion. Upon cutting the composites to the desired shape some of them broke and became untestable. Two sheets were tested in total. More testing will be completed next week. Pictures and data will follow.

On a different matter, the group has still not gained access to an SEM to evaluate the composites.

Testing PLA/flax Composites

Testing will begin this week on the PLA composites. Testing on the tensile strength will take place on Thursday (05/31/12.) A date for using a SEM is still to be determined.

Viewing PLA/Flax Composite

Today (05/23/12) the group attempted to view a sample of a PLA/flax composite under a laboratory microscope. Unfortunately the group was unable to determine if the flax had behaved the way in which we expected (i.e. it embedded itself into the PLA sheets.) The group needs to gain access to an scanning electron microscope (SEM) in order to get a better view at the composition. A picture taken with the microscope used today is attached to this post and is also available on the "Photos" page.

Black area of picture represents flax fibers

New Document Posted

A document explaining the manufacturing of the PLA and flax composites has been posted to the "Documents" page.

Website Content Updates

More content has been added/updated to the website including an abstract, project responsibilities, and photos. Please be sure to check it out.