Abstract
A growing popularity of profiles made of natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites in civil engineering encourages determining test methods relevant for building performance assessment. Weathering resistance is among the key aspects that condition the durability of building structures. The paper includes a comparative analysis of two artificial weathering resistance test methods. Polyvinyl chloride and wood flour composite profiles were tested. They were subjected to UV and spraying (X-exposure) and UV, spraying and wetting by condensation (F-exposure), both at different exposure times. The influence of the applied weathering procedures on the composite’s microstructure and its mechanical characteristics were analysed. No changes in the microstructure of brittle fractures were observed. However, surface morphology changes were revealed, noticeably greater following X-exposure than F-exposure. F-exposure exerted significant influence on the mechanical properties of brushed profile, including, but not limited to, flexural modulus. Whereas X-exposure exerted more influence on the mechanical properties of non-brushed profile.
Highlights
Natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites (NFPC) have been used in many industry branches for a number of years
NFPCs include mainly lignocellulosic fibres obtained from different tree, grass and crop species
Analysing previous studies on artificial weathering resistance of NFPC products addressed for civil engineering, it can be observed that different light sources are used in the exposure procedures, with diversified exposure sequence, including the dry and wet phase length and wetting method [34,35,36,37,39,40]
Summary
Natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites (NFPC) have been used in many industry branches for a number of years. Light exposure reduces the mechanical properties and changes the NFPC products’ colour [30,37]. Analysing previous studies on artificial weathering resistance of NFPC products addressed for civil engineering, it can be observed that different light sources are used in the exposure procedures, with diversified exposure sequence, including the dry and wet phase length and wetting method [34,35,36,37,39,40].
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