Effect of moisture exposure and elevated temperatures on impact response of Pennisetum purpureum/glass-reinforced epoxy (PGRE) hybrid composites

Abstract

A Pennisetum purpureum/glass-reinforced epoxy (PGRE) hybrid composites was comprehensively characterised to assess its impact response behaviour at room temperature (RT), under moisture exposure, and elevated temperatures. The untreated, 5 and 10% alkali-treated PGRE composites were fabricated using hybridised Pennisetum purpureum/woven E-glass fibres and epoxy resin. An instrumented IMATEK IM10 drop weight impact tester was utilised to characterise the impact responses of the prepared hybrid composites. The specimens were subjected to water exposure for 50, 100, 200, and 400 h and before arranged with a low-velocity impact test. In addition, the tests were repeated at 40, 60, and 80 °C to examine the effects of elevated temperatures. The results indicate that the untreated PGRE composite yielded the highest peak load impact response at all energy levels. The stiffness of the composites found to decrease substantially with increasing temperatures, which increases the absorbed energy and peak deflection causing extensive damage to the specimens.