Water Absorption Properties Of Composites Research Articles

Valorization of purified agricultural brown eggshell by-product as filler in bio-epoxy composites

This study presents tensile, flexural and water absorption properties of composites made from bio-epoxy resin containing brown eggshell (with membrane), purified brown eggshell (without membrane) and mineral limestone at three filler levels of 5, 10 and 20 wt%. Composites were made by an open silicone mold casting method. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to demonstrate removal of the membrane. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) indicated brown eggshells without membrane had a higher calcium carbonate content suggesting the purification technique worked well. Although composite tensile strengths and flexural strengths were lower than the pure bio-epoxy, the composites containing brown eggshells (with membrane) had slightly better strengths than composites containing purified brown eggshells (without membrane) and mineral limestone for the same particle size of 32 µm. The organic membrane contains proteins on the surface of the eggshells which may be beneficial for chemical bonding to occur with the bio-epoxy resin. Filler contents of 5–10 wt% were acceptable for tensile and flexural strengths. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided visual observations of the fractured surfaces where an increase in surface roughness was related to an increase in filler loading, implying changes occurred within the composite materials. Brown eggshells can be exploited as a waste management opportunity for use as a filler in bio-epoxy composites.

Polyolefin Based Copolymers as Matrix Component in Coir Fiber Reinforced Composites

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites have attracted much attention in global market as they possess much advantageous characteristics over conventional composite materials in terms of eco-friendliness, light weight, low cost, good mechanical properties and biodegradability. Among natural fibers, the surface properties of coir fiber can be easily improved when the fiber is reinforced with polymer matrix. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation is to develop a coir fiber composite reinforced with polyolefin based copolymers (PCs) and investigate the influence of coir fiber loading on mechanical as well as on water absorption behavior of the composites. Three types of PCs were synthesized using different controlled radical polymerizations (CRP) techniques and used as matrix in composite preparation. Poly(ethylene-co-butyl methacrylate) synthesized via dual concurrent atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)-reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization as well as RAFT mediated miniemulsion polymerization and poly(1-octene-co-butyl methacrylate) synthesized via RAFT polymerization were used as matrix component to prepare the composite materials. The performance evaluation of these PCs in the prepared composites was also compared. The composites were prepared using compression moulding method by reinforcing with 65, 70, 75 and 80 wt. % coirfiber loading. Analysis by universal testing machine (UTM) showed that the tensile strength and flexural strength of composites were decreased with increase in the fiber loading. Highest tensile as well as flexural strength was observed for 65 wt. % coir fiber loading. Among the three types of PCs matrixes, poly(ethylene-co-butyl mehacrylate) synthesized by RAFT mediated miniemulsion polymerization showed highest tensile and flexural strengths in the prepared composite. PCs reinforced coir fiber composites showed the potential advantage over coir fiber composites with commercial Araldite 506 resin as matrix component in terms of tensile as well as flexural properties. The morphological study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the good adhesion between the PCs matrixes and the coir fibers in the prepared composites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis demonstrated significant changes occurred on the surface of coir fiber due to reinforcement of PCs matrixes and X-ray diffraction studies showed the amorphous natures of the composites without any crystallinity. Thermogravimetric analysis results revealed that due to penetration of PCs matrix into the coir fiber, the thermal stability of composites were significantly increased. Furthermore, water absorption properties of composites were also investigated. Based on these results the synthesized PCs/coir composite materials are found to be suitable for its use as hardboards and in different household furniture materials.

The influences of filler loading on tensile properties and water absorption properties of carbonized sugarcane bagasse filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) composite

This study synthesized carbonized sugarcane bagasse (CSB) filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites. The effect of pre-treatment reagent of SB with different concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was examined. The untreated, treated and carbonized SB were characterized by proximate analysis and functional group analysis. By considering all the characteristics, 7 wt% is the optimum concentration which gave lowest moisture content and highest fixed carbon (FC) content. It was chosen to undergo carbonization process at temperature of 600 °C to produce CSB and used as filler in composites. The filler with different loading was mixed with HDPE via extrusion process. The tensile properties, surface morphology and water absorption behaviour of the bio-composites were evaluated. As filler loading increased, the Young’s modulus was increasing gradually. Meanwhile, the tensile strength and elongation at break were increasing up to 5 wt% but then decreasing as filler content increased due to the formation of filler agglomeration in HDPE matrix. The deterioration of the interfacial adhesion of these composites was confirmed by the SEM observations. The percentage of water absorption is gradually increased with increasing the filler loading. In short, the optimum filler loading at 5 wt% imparts good tensile and water absorption properties of composites.

Studies on the mechanical and absorption properties of achatina fulica snail and eggshells reinforced composite materials

The present study focuses on the mechanical and absorption properties of composites reinforced by achatina fulica snail (S-shell) and eggshell particles (E-shell). Epoxy composites of snail and eggshell particles were prepared separately with the filler content ranging from 5 to 20% by weight. Hybrid composites of both fillers were also prepared and assessed. Specimens of the composites and hybrid composites with different percentage weights of the reinforcing materials were fabricated using the resin casting method. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, Young’s modulus, impact strength, hardness and water absorption properties of the specimens were evaluated experimentally. It was observed that the addition of shell particles improves the mechanical properties of neat epoxy irrespective of the percentage weight of the reinforcement. The mechanical and water absorption properties of composites and hybrid composites varied depending on the amount of the reinforcement. Significantly, hybrid reinforcement by S-shell and E-shell particles offered superior properties in most cases. High percentage weight of calcium carbonate in these naturally sourced fillers and the synergistic effect of the S-shell and E-shells particle fillers can be attributed to high strength, stiffness, and decrease in water uptake of the composites.

Corn husk Fibers Reinforced Polyester Composites: Tensile Strength Properties, Water Absorption Behavior, and Morphology

The effects of fiber content and immersion time in the water on the tensile, morphology and water absorption properties of composites made from corn husk fiber/polyester have been studied. Composite made with a variety of different fiber contents namely: 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% respectively. All composite specimens were immersed in water for 24 h and 72 h. The effects of fiber content and time of immersion of composites in water have been determined by examining the nature of tensile strength, water absorption behavior, morphology. The results demonstrated that after soaked in water for 24 h and 72 h, the water absorption properties of the composites increased with increasing fiber content. The tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of composites tend to increase from 20% to 30% fiber content after immersed for 24 h, and then decrease with increasing fiber and soaking time because the interface between fiber and polyester becomes weak. These results suggest that corn husk fiber composites could have the potential to use as decking, siding, and exterior windows.

Effect of chemical modification of fiber surface on natural fiber composites: A review

Abstract The effect of different chemical modification of fiber surface on different mechanical properties of natural fibers composites are reviewed in this paper. Different fiber surface modifications like alkali, acetylation, potassium permanganate, peroxides, silane benzoylation etc. and the composition of the natural fibers components like cellulose, hemi-cellulose, lignin, pectin etc. are discussed. The main purpose of present study is to check the effect of the different fiber surface modification on natural composites. Different properties of the natural fiber composites are increases like the adhesion force between the reinforcement surface and matrix material at the surface contact, also it improve fiber strength. The water absorption properties of composites are reduced.

Synergistic effect of fiber content and length on mechanical and water absorption behaviors of Phoenix sp. fiber-reinforced epoxy composites

Phoenix sp. fiber-reinforced epoxy composites have been manufactured using compression molding technique. The effect of reinforcement volume content (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) and size (300 µm particles, 10 mm, 20 mm, and 30 mm fibers) on quasi-static and dynamic mechanical properties was investigated. Moreover, the water absorption properties of composites were analyzed at different environmental conditions (10℃, 30℃, and 60℃). For each reinforcement size, composites loaded with 40% in volume show highest tensile and flexural properties. Furthermore, composites with 300 µm particles present the best impact properties and the lowest water absorption, regardless of the environmental condition. The dynamic mechanical properties of the composites loaded with 40% in volume were analyzed by varying the reinforcement size and the load frequency (i.e., 0.5 Hz, 1 Hz, 2 Hz, 5 Hz, and 10 Hz). It was found that the glass transition temperature of short fiber-reinforced composites is higher than that of the composite loaded with particles.

Effect of Glycidyl Methacrylate on Water Absorption Properties of Sago Hampas Biocomposite

This study examines the water absorption of sago hampas biocomposite utilizing glycidyl methacrylate as its matrix. Composites were fabricated with 25, 30, 40 wt% sago hampas content and another sample of pure sago hampas using hydraulics hot press machine. The water absorption properties of composites with different sago hampas composition were investigated according to Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials of ASTM D570. Water absorption of pure sago hampas composite have the highest average water absorption percentage with 59.1 wt% as compared to the lowest average water absorption percentage recorded for 30 wt% sago hampas content biocomposite with 16.8%. However sago hampas loading was increased resulting in the increased in average water absorption on biocomposite for 40 wt% sago hampas content which is 33.1%.

Effect of chemical treatment on the mechanical and water absorption properties of bagasse fiber-reinforced epoxy composites

AbstractThe present article presents a study on the mechanical and water absorption properties of bagasse fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. Bagasse fibers are subjected to chemical treatment with 1% sodium hydroxide followed by 1% acrylic acid at ambient temperature to enhance the bonding strength between the fiber-polymer, resulting in high values of the mechanical properties and a reduction in the water absorption properties of the composites. We analyzed the optimum value of fiber treatment, and it was found that 15% treated fiber loading yields enhanced the mechanical properties together with a reduction in water absorption properties.

Effect of viscose fabric modification on the mechanical and water absorption properties of composites prepared through vacuum infusion

Viscose fabric-reinforced unsaturated polyester composites were successfully prepared through vacuum infusion process. Unidirectional viscose fabric was modified by two different organosilane coupling agents and by acetylation treatment. The main objective was to study the influence of fabric treatment on the mechanical and water absorption properties of the composites. Flexural, tensile and impact properties of composites were studied. The results from mechanical testing of composites pointed out that 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane treatment increased the flexural and impact strengths of the composites with respect to untreated fabric composite. The impact strength of 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane-treated fabric composites almost doubled compared to the value of untreated fabric composite. Among all the composites under study, those with fabrics treated by 2 vol% 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane in ethanol/water (95:5) solution exhibited significant improvement in water uptake resistance. An unsaturated polyester gelcoat and topcoat were applied as the outer surface on the composites with untreated fabric. This was done in order to investigate the visual surface appearance and evaluate the gelcoat and topcoat effect on water absorption after accelerated water immersion test. The regenerated cellulose fibre as reinforcement shows high potential to be used as an alternative for natural bast fibres, especially, when toughness of material matters. Chemical treatment of regenerated cellulose fibres could result in improvement in properties of polymer composites, considering that the appropriate treatment method is selected for the corresponding fibre–matrix system.

Mechanical and water absorption properties of municipal solid waste and banana fiber‐reinforced urea formaldehyde composites

In this study, hybrid composites of municipal solid waste (MSW)/banana fiber reinforced urea formaldehyde were prepared in different filler ratio. Mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact strengths were investigated as a function of total volume fraction (Vf) of filler (MSW and banana fiber), relative volume fraction of MSW and banana fiber and its chemical modification. The mechanical properties were found to be high at 40% Vf of filler which indicates effective stress transfer between fiber and matrix. Then, composites with different volume ratios of MSW and banana fiber (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100) are prepared by keeping total Vf of filler as 40%. It is observed that addition of banana fiber imparts better mechanical and thermal stability properties to composites. Also, banana fiber addition increased the water absorption properties of composites. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 211–221, 2015

ANALISIS UJI PENYERAPAN AIR DAN STRUKTUR MIKRO KOMPOSIT LAMINATE HYBRID SERAT SISAL DAN BATANG PISANG DENGAN MATRIK EPOXY

The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze about absorption properties of the composite laminate, microstructure hybrid sisal and banana fiber with epoxy matrix. Composite manufacturing was done by hand lay-up method with a ratio of fiber volume fraction of sisal and banana trunks 0:40, 10:30, 15:25, 20:20, 30:10, 40:0 (%) With direction of sisalana agave fiber orientation and banana fiber by fiber length according to the mold. Specimen testing was done by the water absorption test with the standard ASTM D571-8,. Test results obtained from the average water absorption properties of composites with the highest ratio of fiber volume fraction of 40%: 0% is 42.4% while the lowest average water absorption properties contained in the composite with fiber volume fraction of 0%: 40%, with percentage of 11.5%. Therefore we can conclude the increasing volume fraction of sisal fiber withidirection of fiber orientation, the lower of water absorption properties and conversely increasing the volume of woven banana fiber orientation, the higher of water absorptionproperties.

Helium gas barrier and water absorption behavior of bamboo fiber reinforced recycled polypropylene

Helium gas permeability and water absorption behavior of the recycled polypropylene/short bamboo fiber composite membrane were investigated. The effects of short bamboo fiber content and fiber chemical treatment on gas permeability and water absorption properties of composites have been examined. Our research showed that the solubility coefficient of helium increased as the fiber content of the bamboo increases but the diffusivity coefficient seemed to decrease with increasing amount of bamboo fiber in the composite formulation due to the poor adhesion between bamboo fiber and polymer matrix. The structure of recycled polypropylene/bamboo fibers have also investigates by X-ray diffraction technique. The chemical treatment of the bamboo fiber by alkali solution increased fiber surface roughness within the composite; in consequence, a more homogeneous dispersion of these fibers appears in the polymer matrix. The process of absorption of water was found to follow the kinetics and mechanisms described by Fick’s theory. A considerable loss in mechanical properties of the water-saturated samples after 3 months of aging in water was observed and this reduction could be delayed by fiber chemical treatment. This study provided the useful information about the behavior of recycled polypropylene/bamboo fiber composite materials during their service life time.

Comparative study of maleated and glycidyl methacrylate functionalized terpolymers as compatibilizers for low‐density polyethylene–wood flour composites

AbstractTwo types of terpolymers, maleic anhydride (MA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) functionalized, are used as compatibilizer in low‐density polyethylene–wood flour composites. The type and amount of compatibilizer on the tensile, impact, morphological, and water absorption properties of composites are investigated. The effect of preimpregnation with a compatibilizer solution is also studied. The MA functionalized compatibilizer increases the mechanical properties of composites, when it is used either directly or with preimpregnation. GMA functionalized compatibilizer is not as effective as MA functionalized compatibilizer giving rise to small improvements in properties. An important point is doubling of the modulus with MA preimpregnated compatibilizer. With both compatibilizers the water absorption value of composites are reduced and the preimpregnation with both compatibilizers do not change the total amount of absorbed water with respect to the non‐preimpregnated ones. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013

Influence of chemical treatments on the mechanical and water absorption properties of bamboo fiber composites

Chemical surface modification of woven bamboo mat with maleic anhydride, permanganate, benzoyl chloride, benzyl chloride, and pre-impregnation were carried out. These modified fibers were used as reinforcements in epoxy and polyester matrices. The effects of fiber modification on the tensile, flexural, impact, and water absorption properties of the composites were investigated. Flexural properties of maleic anhydride treated bamboo polyester composites improved by nearly 50%. The tensile strength and modulus of permanganate-treated bamboo polyester composite increased by 58% and 118%. The tensile strength and modulus of benzoylated bamboo fiber polyester composite improved by 71% and 118%, respectively. After benzoylation of the bamboo fiber, the water absorption is 16% for the bamboo-epoxy composite compared to 41% by untreated bamboo-epoxy composite. The water absorption by benzylated bamboo reinforced polyester composite was 16.8% compared to 51% by untreated bamboo-polyester composite. Pre-impregnation improved the mechanical and water resistant properties of both epoxy and polyester-based composites. SEM investigations of the tensile fracture surfaces show that modifications improved the fiber—matrix interaction.

Recycle Polypropylene (RPP) - Wood Saw Dust (WSD) Composites - Part 1: The Effect of Different Filler Size and Filler Loading on Mechanical and Water Absorption Properties

The compounding of recycled polypropylene (RPP) and wood saw dust (WSD) are carried out using five different filler loadings (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%) with three WSD filler sizes (100, 212, and 300 mm). The composites are mixed and extruded using Haake Rheodrive 500 twin screw extruder. The mechanical and water absorption properties of composites are characterized accordingly. The results show that composites with a smaller particle size (100 mm) have remarkably higher properties compared to others (212 and 300 mm). Composites filled up to 30% WSD exhibits improved mechanical properties but the value dramatically decreased above 30% filler loading. The evidence of fiber-matrix interphase is analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM).

The Physical Properties of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Composites Made from Various Thermoplastics

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB)-based composites were produced using different types of thermoplastic as matrices. The composites were produced by using an internal mixer. The mechanical and water absorption properties of composites were investigated. Overall, the incorporation of EFB into the polymer matrix has resulted in the reduction of flexural strength. The poor performance has been attributed to the poor filler-matrix interaction. Both flexural and tensile modulus of PE and PP composites have been improved upon the addition of fillers, however, both PS and PVC composites showed a decreasing trend. Tensile strength and elongation at break results for all composites have been reduced as the result of incorporation of filler. This has been attributed to the poor filler-matrix interaction or compatibility, size irregularity and also decreased ductile deformation. Water absorption and thickness swelling increased as the filler loading is increased. This has been attributed to the presence of hyrophillic hydroxyl groups of the filler.