Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites Research Articles

Modification on Fiber from Alkali Treatment and AESO Coating to Enhance UV-Light and Water Absorption Resistance in Kapok Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

ABSTRACT Environmental contamination poses a significant threat to the integrity of materials, including metals and composites. Addressing the degradation of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites necessitates effective management strategies, particularly in mitigating UV and water-induced deterioration. This study explores the efficacy of Acrylated Epoxidized Soybean Oil (AESO) coating treatment following alkali treatment as a potential solution. Alkali treatment of Kapok fiber (KF) combined with polymer coating yielded composites exhibiting superior mechanical properties, particularly in tensile and flexural strength, following a 30-day aging period. Remarkably, the application of alkali and coating treatments led to a substantial enhancement in the mechanical strength of polyester composites, with the highest tensile strength recorded at 96.04 MPa. This represented a notable increase of 31.97% compared to untreated KF specimens. The observed enhancement in composite performance underscores the critical role of interfacial adhesion between fibers and the matrix, particularly under conditions of UV exposure and water immersion. Importantly, the study demonstrates that alkali treatment and polymer coating effectively mitigate degradation in Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites, thereby offering promising avenues for enhancing their durability and longevity.

Mechanical Properties and Recyclability of Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites.

Fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPs) are valuable construction materials owing to their strength, durability, and design flexibility; however, conventional FRPs utilize petroleum-based polymer matrices with limited recyclability. Furthermore, fiber reinforcements are made from nonrenewable feedstocks, through expensive and energy intensive processes, making recovery and reuse advantageous. Thus, FRPs that use biobased and degradable or reprocessable matrices would enable a more sustainable product, as both components can be recovered and reused. We previously developed a family of degradable and reprocessable cross-linked polyesters from bioderived cyclic esters (l-lactide, δ-valerolactone, and ε-caprolactone) copolymerized with a bis(1,3-dioxolan-4-one) cross-linker. We now incorporate these networks into FRPs and demonstrate degradability of the matrix into tartaric acid and oligomers, enabling recovery and reuse of the fiber reinforcement. Furthermore, the effect of varying comonomer structure, catalyst, reinforcement type, and lay-up method on mechanical properties of the resultant FRPs is explored. The FRPs produced have tensile strengths of up to 202 MPa and Young's moduli up to 25 GPa, promising evidence that sustainable FRPs can rival the mechanical properties of conventional high performance FRPs.

Water Absorption, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Fiber with Chopped Glass Fiber Filler-Reinforced Polyester Composites

This study explores the investigations of bamboo fiber-reinforced polyester composites with chopped glass fiber (CGF) filler, focusing on addressing the challenges of low mechanical properties, limited thermal stability, and high moisture absorption. The two types of composites were fabricated using the hand layup method, that is, long unidirectional 0° bamboo fiber (BF) and randomly oriented short bamboo fiber (BP) reinforced a polyester matrix with chopped glass fiber (CGF) filler. By incorporating CGF filler, significant improvements in mechanical properties were achieved across both types of bamboo fiber, surpassing the limitations of unfilled composites. Notably, the composite formulation consisting of 40% wt. of unidirectional 0° BF and 5% wt. of CGF filler exhibited superior ultimate tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, water absorption, and thermal stability. This composite demonstrated remarkable enhancements, with increases of up to 131.22 MPa, 128.76 MPa, 113.3 kJ/m2, 1.94% water absorption, and up to 255°C (representing a 10% improvement) in thermal stability compared to the unfilled composite. Statistical analysis revealed quadratic models for the mechanical properties of long unidirectional 0° bamboo fiber composites, while water absorption exhibited a linear two-factor interaction model. For randomly oriented short bamboo fiber, the models for tensile, flexural, and water absorption properties were linear, while the impact energy model showed a quadratic relationship. These statistical models provide valuable insights into predicting the properties of bamboo fiber-reinforced polyester composites. This research underscores the significance of bamboo fiber-reinforced polyester composites in wall partition systems. This study paves the way for improved performance in these areas. The findings highlight the potential of incorporating CGF filler, enabling enhanced mechanical strength, increased thermal stability, and improved resistance to moisture-related issues. The derived statistical models offer valuable guidance for predicting the properties of these composites, facilitating their application and adoption in the construction industry.

Experimental study of the mechanical and optical properties of glass-polyester fiber composite based on response surface methodology

Due to the intricate amalgamation of various components, composite materials boast mechanical properties that surpass those of their constituents. Among these composite materials, glass fiber-reinforced polyester composites emerge as prominent contenders, finding extensive utility, especially in agricultural greenhouse construction. These structures garner significant acclaim for their exceptional ability to withstand adverse weather conditions, ensure prolonged durability, and transmit light efficiently, thus creating optimal growing conditions. Consequently, they have become the favored choice among farmers seeking dependable and sustainable environments for cultivation. Within the scope of this study, we employ Response Surface Methodology (RSM) as a comprehensive tool to delve deeply into the mechanical and optical characteristics inherent in such composite materials. Our investigation is meticulously tailored to unravel the intricate interplay among crucial factors such as fiber content, length, and plate thickness, elucidating their direct impacts on mechanical properties like stress and elasticity modulus. Our rigorous examination reveals that the pinnacle of mechanical performance is attained within a specific range: fiber content ranging from 20% to 40%, fiber lengths spanning 35 to 45 mm, and plate thicknesses measuring between 0.6 to 3 mm. Furthermore, our meticulous analysis of transmittance measurements uncovers an intriguing correlation: thinner thicknesses and lower fiber content correspond with heightened light transmission across the visible spectrum. Conversely, elevating the fiber content or thickness enhances mechanical robustness but concurrently diminishes light transmittance. Thus, achieving a harmonious equilibrium among these attributes becomes imperative for the pragmatic construction of agricultural greenhouses. Additionally, we venture into incorporating ultraviolet (UV) plastic films to augment the optical prowess of these composites, further elevating their efficacy in greenhouse applications. By embarking on this comprehensive investigation, our overarching objective is to propel sustainable farming practices forward by furnishing a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted factors that shape the performance of glass fiber-polyester composites in agricultural greenhouse applications.

Impact of fiber diameter on mechanical and water absorption properties of short bamboo fiber-reinforced polyester composites

Abstract This study aims to investigate the effect of fiber diameter on the mechanical and water absorption characteristics of short bamboo fiber-reinforced polyester composites. Three different fiber sizes (180–250 µm, 250–500 µm, and 700–1000 µm) were used to prepare composites with varying fiber loadings of 10 wt.%, 20 wt.%, and 30 wt.%. The fabricated composites were cut to standard dimensions, and tension tests, impact tests, and water absorption tests were performed. Reproducible results were obtained, revealing that using fibers of smaller diameter (180–250 µm) increased the tensile strength of the composite by 20 % compared to composites with larger diameter fibers (700–1000 µm), while the tensile modulus showed a 22 % enhancement with decreasing fiber diameter. Composites with larger diameter fibers exhibited more defects (voids and matrix detachment), as revealed by SEM analysis of fractured surfaces. The impact strength of composites with a diameter size of 700–1000 µm increased by 33 % compared to composites reinforced with the smallest fiber diameter. Water absorption of the composites was also studied by long-term immersion in water, showing that water intake was high initially, reaching a saturation point after a certain time interval. The absorbed water values indicated that composites with the smallest diameter (180–250 µm) showed maximum water intake due to the creation of more water intake sites (increased interfacial area), while composites with the largest diameter fibers (700–1000 µm) exhibited the least water absorption as the interaction region between fibers and matrix was reduced.

Physico-mechanical and thermal properties of fly ash and benzoylated Himalayan Agave fiber reinforced polyester composite

Physico-mechanical and thermal properties of fly ash and benzoylated Himalayan Agave fiber reinforced polyester composite

Wear behaviour of glass fiber reinforced polyester composites under dry friction and fluid film lubrication

Abstract The use of composite materials, which are more economical and have better material properties, has become widespread in the industry lately. The glass fiber reinforced polyester composite materials constitute majority of composite materials produced in industry. Wear reduces working life of machine parts, affects their functions, and causes undesired deterioration, resulting in part separation over the contact surface. The machine parts produced from glass fiber reinforced polyester composite materials wear out because of exposure to dry friction and fluid film lubrication under different operating conditions. In this study, wear behaviours of glass fiber reinforced polyester composite materials under dry friction and fluid film lubrication conditions were investigated. The various results were obtained with this study. The wear resistances of samples in dry friction and fluid film lubrication conditions are like each other. The use of glass fiber, glass bead and plasticizer tensile additive in glass fiber reinforced polyester composite specimens is effective in improving the wear resistance of specimens.

Investigation of the Effects of Environmental Conditions on Wear Behaviors in Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composite Materials Containing Different Types of Polyester and Low Profile Additive

Kompozit malzemeler, gelişen teknoloji ile birlikte günümüzde birçok alanda başarıyla kullanılmaktadırlar. Elyaf takviyeli polimer kompozitler, yüksek dayanım ve düşük maliyet özelliklerinden dolayı en sık tercih edilen kompozit malzemelerdir. Cam elyaf takviyeli polyester (CTP) kompozitler kullanım alanlarına göre istenilen mekanik ve tribolojik özellikleri karşılayan polimer matrisli ve cam elyaf takviye malzemeli bir kompozit türüdür. Cam elyaf takviyeli polyester kompozit malzemeler farklı türlerde polyester ve çekme katkıları içerebilmektedir. Çevresel koşullar cam elyaf takviyeli polyester kompozitlerin aşınma dayanımı üzerinde etkili olmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, iki farklı türde polyester (ortoftalik ve izoftalik) ve çekme katkısı (polistiren ve plastifiyen) içeren cam elyaf takviyeli polyester kompozit malzemelerin farklı çevresel koşullar (UV ışıma, asit ortamı, tuzlu su ortamı, hızlandırılmış yaşlandırma, hidrotermal yaşlandırma ve termal çevrim) altındaki aşınma davranışları incelenmiş ve farklı türlerde polyester ve çekme katkısı içeren numunelerde çevresel koşulların malzemelerin aşınma davranışları üzerine olan etkileri araştırılmıştır. CTP kompozit numunelerin aşınma dayanımına çevresel koşulların etkileri dikkate alındığında her iki numunede de UV ışıma ortamına ve hidrotermal yaşlandırmaya maruz kalan numunelerin aşınma dayanımının arttığı gözlemlenmiştir. CTP kompozit malzemelerin içerisinde polistiren çekme katkısının kullanılması malzemenin aşınma dayanımını iyileştirmektedir. Ortoftalik polyester reçine içeren CTP kompozit numunelerin, izoftalik reçine içeren numunelere kıyasla aşınma dayanımları daha iyidir.

Mechanical, wear, and flammability of chitin-rich endoskeleton of Sepioteuthis Sepioidea powder-dispersed pineapple fiber-reinforced polyester composite

Mechanical, wear, and flammability of chitin-rich endoskeleton of Sepioteuthis Sepioidea powder-dispersed pineapple fiber-reinforced polyester composite

Effect of rice husk ash silicon nitride on mechanical, wear, thermal conductivity, and flammability behavior of aluminized glass-kenaf fiber-reinforced polyester composite

Effect of rice husk ash silicon nitride on mechanical, wear, thermal conductivity, and flammability behavior of aluminized glass-kenaf fiber-reinforced polyester composite

Enhancement of tribology behaviour by the addition of different fiber length of pineapple fiber reinforced polyester composite

Enhancement of tribology behaviour by the addition of different fiber length of pineapple fiber reinforced polyester composite

Retracted: Mechanical and Morphological Studies of Sansevieria trifasciata Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Composites with the Addition of SiO2 and B4C

Retracted: Mechanical and Morphological Studies of <i>Sansevieria trifasciata</i> Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Composites with the Addition of SiO₂ and B₄C

Investigation on impact properties of basalt and glass fiber reinforced polyester composites filled with nano silica

The relevance of granite waste is growing alongside the global demand for granite. This waste comprises various forms, including large granite pieces, tiny fragments, dust, and other debris. This research aimed to create a novel composite by incorporating nano silica from granite powder as a filler, combining it with basalt and glass fibres as the matrix, and using polyester as the resin. The fabrication involved Fiber Reinforced Composite (FRP) production through hand lay-up and vacuum silicon moulding to eliminate trapped air during lamination. After fabrication, tests were conducted for hardness, density, and Low-Velocity Impact under dropping weight. The results indicated that introducing nano silica as a filler in polyester resin positively impacted Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composite (BFRPC) and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composite (GFRPC). Analysis showed that as the nano-silica content increased, so did energy absorbed, impact strength and ductility index, up to a 1wt% nano-silica concentration. Beyond this point, agglomeration occurred, causing a decrease in these values. The 1 Nano silica Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composite (1NSBFRPC) material exhibited the highest energy absorption at 103.21J, indicating strong impact strength at 21.27kJ/m2. Conversely, the 1NSGFRPC material demonstrated the highest ductility index at 4.13. In comparison, Carbon Tech Global's (CTG) energy absorption, initially 25.56J, experienced a significant increase of 303.79%, reaching 103.21J. The impact strength also showed a notable shift, escalating by 396.96% from 4.28 KJ/m2 to an impressive 21.27kJ/m2. This shift in impact strength represented a remarkable 128.2% surge, highlighting the significant influence of integrating nano-silica. This new composite suits truck body carriers and offers environmental benefits. Furthermore, utilising nano silica in this context not only aids in waste reduction within the granite sector but also contributes to sustainable resources.

Experimental and numerical evaluation of mechanical performances of hybrid Palmyra-Palm-Leaf-Stalk/Glass fiber reinforced polyester composites

In the present work, four layered Palmyra-Palm-Leaf-Stalk (PPLSF)/Glass hybrid composites laminates with six distinct stacking orders were made by following hand lay-up method. Different experiments were carried out to determine the tensile, flexural, impact and hardness of the laminates as per ASTM standard. The results reveal that the addition of glass fiber to PPLSF significantly enhanced the mechanical performance of the laminates. On successive replacement of PPLSF by glass fiber, an enhancement of properties such as 291.39% for tensile strength, 72.08% for flexural strength, 75.82% for impact strength, and 78.44% for micro-hardness was observed. Again, it is also noticed that the stacking order plays an important role in influencing the properties while comparing experimental finding of laminates with equal weight percentages PPLSF and glass fiber. Further to perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA), a 3D CAD model of tensile and flexural specimen was created in space-claim modeler of ANSYS R19.0 and subsequently imported to generate numerical predicted values. While comparing the numerical and experimental results, there was very good agreement among the results was found. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used for fractography analysis of the tested samples to examine the different mode of failures.

Sliding Wear Behavior of Pineapple Leaf/Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

AbstractIn this work, the effect of the kind of reinforcement on the sliding wear performance of a polyester matrix composite reinforced with glass fiber and pineapple leaf fiber is investigated. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the effects of the type of reinforcement on the sliding wear performance of a polyester matrix composite reinforced with glass fiber and pineapple leaf fiber. By using hot press molding and the 30% weight fraction of fiber reinforcement, polyester composites with four distinct compositions—PPP, GGG, PGP, and GPG—have been created. These composites' dry sliding wear experiment is carried out using a Pin on Disc wear testing device. The following parameters are used in experiments: a track radius of 50 mm, a sliding distance (SD) of 500 m, an applied load of 50, 70, or 90 N, and a sliding velocity of 3.14, 4.71, or 6.28 m s−1. For dedicated (PPP, GGG) and hybrid (PGP, GPG) polyester composites, the effects of load, sliding velocity (SV), and wear rate (WR) are studied. At 50 N and 3.14 m s−1 the COF for PPP and GGG dedicated composites is 0.68 and 0.70, respectively, whereas for PGP and GPG hybrid composites, it is 0.41 and 0.64. The PGP/GPG hybrid composites have a minimal wear rate of 3.34e‐8 m3 s−1 and are 80% more effective than dedicated composites. Utilizing the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Taguchi L9 orthogonal array, regression models are created to optimize the influence of various parameters, such as load, sliding velocity, and composition. Results of confirmation tests show excellent agreement with predictions generated using the developed mathematical model.

Effect of red mud on mechanical and thermal properties of agave sisalana/glass fiber–reinforced hybrid composites

Abstract The mechanical, thermal, and morphological analysis of red mud filled sisal/glass fiber–reinforced polyester composites have been investigated. In this study, four composite specimens were prepared through hand layup technique by changing the weight percentage of sisal fiber and red mud. Weight percentage of glass fiber and polyester resin are kept constant. The fabricated composite specimens were subjected to mechanical properties such as hardness, impact and tensile behavior, thermal, and morphological analysis. From the results, it is observed that, maximum tensile strength of 45.6 MPa was obtained for C1 specimen. Maximum hardness and impact strength of 85.67 and 391.5 J m−1 was achieved for C2 specimen. In TGA study, C1 and C2 specimen exhibited 85 % of weight loss with the temperature ranges from 300 °C to 400 °C. From SEM analysis, good bonding between fiber and matrix, voids, fiber breakages, fiber pullout, delamination, rich matrix area, poor adhesion between fiber and matrix, poor arrangement of fibers, interlinked fibers, and crack propagation were observed. Based on the results, C2 specimen which contains 30 wt% of sisal fiber and 5 wt% of red mud is performed well than other composites and it is suitable for various applications such as marine, automobile, and aeronautical.

Mechanical, wear, and low cycle fatigue behaviour of rice husk ash Si3N4 and pineapple/basalt Fiber–reinforced polyester composite

Mechanical, wear, and low cycle fatigue behaviour of rice husk ash Si3N4 and pineapple/basalt Fiber–reinforced polyester composite

Effect of hybridization on mechanical and water absorption properties of short palmyra palm leaf stalk/carbon fibers reinforced polyester composites

AbstractRecently, there has been interest in the development of hybrid composites for diverse industrial applications. In this aspect, this paper explores the mechanical (tensile, flexural, impact, and dynamic mechanical analysis) and water (distilled and seawater) absorption properties of palmyra palm leaf stalk/carbon fiber‐based composites. Hybrid composites with various reinforcement weight ratios were manufactured for the experiment employing the compression molding procedure. To analyze the hybridization effect, composites with a single reinforcement were also produced and evaluated. The results demonstrated that adding carbon fiber to palmyra fiber in the matrix enhances the composites' overall mechanical properties. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) was used to assess the broken surface of mechanically tested composites to better comprehend the failure causes. The findings of the moisture absorption test have shown that using carbon fiber in composites reduces moisture absorption due to their hydrophobic behavior. In addition, the specimens dipped in seawater absorbed more water due to the higher pH value of seawater and gained more weight due to salt deposition. The results of this study indicate that the hybrid composite formulation P25C75 exhibits a balance between its mechanical properties and environmental resilience, making it a possible lightweight material for structural applications.Highlights Various properties of palmyra palm/carbon hybrid composites were investigated. Addition of carbon fibers to palmyra palm composites enhanced their properties. Hybrid composites exhibit better‐damping property. Performance, environmental effect, and cost are balanced in hybrid composites.

Erosion wear assessment of sugarcane fibre reinforced polymer composites for applications of wind turbine blades

This research reports erosion wear characteristics of polyester matrix composite reinforced with short fibres of sugar cane. Erosion tests were conducted using silica sand particles of size (200–500 µm) using a locally designed air jet-type erosion test rig. The sugarcane fibre-reinforced polyester composites (5% wt.) with different fibre lengths (3, 12, 48 mm) were impacted by sand particles at a fixed velocity of 60 m/s, impact angles (30°, 60°, 90°) and erodent weight of (2500,7500) gm. ANOVA approach was used to determine the most significant parameter and their combinations that minimize the erosion rate. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observations were conducted to investigate the erosion mechanisms. Results indicated that the erosion rate is greatly influenced by fibre length as well as the erodent weight. Moreover, at an erodent weight of 2500gm, the behaviour of the material turns from brittle into ductile. At an erodent weight of 7500gm, the erosion rate is inversely proportional to the fibre length.

Identification of regularities in the behavior of a glass fiber-reinforced polyester composite of the impact test based on ASTM D256 standard

In this research, commotional analysis based on the finite element analysis (FEA) has been performed to investigate IZOD impact test based on the ASTM D256 standard. The ANSYS model primarily employs a composite constructed of glass fiber-reinforced polyester for the boundary conditions. The CEAST 9050 instrument was used to implement the impacting technique in the experimental inquiry. By employing mathematics, we have calculated that the applied force is 9.2 N. A hammer traveling at a speed of 3.5 meters per second is used to strike the samples, and the results are recorded after each blow. The object of this study is the mechanical properties and structural integrity of the composite material composed of glass fibers and polyester when subjected to impact forces. The main hypothesis of the study encompasses the optimism that the glass fiber-reinforced polyester composite, when put through the Izod impact test in accordance with ASTM D256. Convergence between the overall deformation indicator and the numerical result has occurred. Results from the numerical analysis were examined and confirmed, and compared to those from the experiment. The specimens in this study were totally distorted at three different thicknesses (6 mm, 8 mm, and 10 mm). Deformation was found to be greatest for the thinnest value of thickness considered in the study (6 millimeters), as determined by the results of the computer analysis. This was the case even though the thickness value was not the sole criterion. This is the actual state of affairs. The specimen was subjected to a von-Mises stress at three different thicknesses of 6 mm, 8 mm, and 10 mm. The computer investigation revealed that the Von-Mises stress was highest at the thinnest possible thickness of just 6 millimeters. Internal energy, kinetic energy, and touch energy are only few of the various types of energy that have been studied in the context of energy conservation