Abstract
This work aims to give insight on the effect of accelerated weathering, i.e., the combination of ultraviolet (UV) exposure and water spraying, on the visual and mechanical properties of basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) composites. The solvent exchange method, sonication and high shear milling technique were used to prepare the nanocomposite laminates. Three types of laminates were fabricated, i.e., unmodified BFRP, nanosilica modified BFRP and graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) modified BFRP composites with the total fiber loading of 45 wt.%. Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminate was also prepared for performance comparison purposes between the natural and synthetic fibers. The laminates were exposed to UV with a total weathering condition of 504 h using a Quantum-UV accelerated weathering tester. The weathering condition cycle was set at 8 h 60 °C UV exposure and 4 h 50 °C condensation. The discoloration visual inspection on the tested specimen was observed under the optical microscope. The obtained results showed that the UV exposure and water absorption caused severe discoloration of the laminates due to photo-oxidation reaction. The effect of weathering conditions on tensile and flexural properties of unmodified BFRP composites indicated that the UV exposure and water absorption caused reduction by 12% in tensile strength and by 7% in flexural strength. It is also found that the reduction in tensile and flexural properties of nanomodified BFRP composites was smaller than the unmodified system. It concluded from this work, that the mineral based composites (i.e., BFRP) has high potential for structural applications owing to its better properties than synthetic based composites (i.e., GFRP).
Highlights
Synthetic carbon and glass fiber reinforced polymer composites have been broadly used in marine and civil structures with concrete as structural piers and pile structures because of their high strength-to-weight ratio, flexible design and good corrosion resistance
Polymers 2020, 12, 2621 (FRP) composites are effective materials for concrete as it enables them to be an option for steel reinforcement for engineering applications [1,2]
Other than cost, increasing public concern about the environment, climate change, energy consumption and the greenhouse effect, as well as demand for environmentally friendly materials has captured the attention of industry and academia to use natural fibers as a substitution for glass and carbon fiber. [4,5,6,7]
Summary
Synthetic carbon and glass fiber reinforced polymer composites have been broadly used in marine and civil structures with concrete as structural piers and pile structures because of their high strength-to-weight ratio, flexible design and good corrosion resistance. Other than cost, increasing public concern about the environment, climate change, energy consumption and the greenhouse effect, as well as demand for environmentally friendly materials has captured the attention of industry and academia to use natural fibers as a substitution for glass and carbon fiber. The global natural fiber composites market is estimated to touch USD 10.89 billion due to the increasing demand for lightweight products from the automotive industry and the increasing consciousness of green products and environmental sustainability [8]
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