The effect of water immersion and fibre content on properties of corn husk fibres reinforced thermoset polyester composite
File(s)Final.doc (2.52 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This work presents an experimental investigation into the effect of cornhusk fibre (CHF) content upon the mechanical properties, water absorption behaviour, and swellability of CHF/polyester (PE) composites used in water environments. The CHF/PE was prepared at different volume fractions using hot compression (~175 °C). To investigate the rate of water absorption and swellability behaviours, composites were immersed in water for varying durations. The mechanical properties of composites (i.e. tensile, bending and compression strengths) immersed in water were carefully evaluated. The results indicate that the composites with an increased CHF content and a longer immersion time are prone to lower mechanical properties. The large amount of water absorbed by the composite reduces the bonding interface between CHF and PE, which is responsible for the damage. Moreover, the amount of water absorbed and the swellability increase with a corresponding increase in the CHF content. The lowest water absorption (2.39%) was detected in 20% CHF and 80% PE composite immersed for 6 days. The findings gathered in this research endorse CHF/polyester thermoset composites as a viable alternative for construction applications.
Date Issued
2020-11
Online Publication Date
2021-08-02T23:01:31Z
Date Acceptance
2020-07-17
ISSN
0142-9418
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Start Page
1
End Page
8
Journal / Book Title
Polymer Testing
Volume
91
Copyright Statement
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0142941819317593?via%3Dihub
Subjects
Polymers
0303 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
0912 Materials Engineering
0913 Mechanical Engineering
Publication Status
Published online
Article Number
106751
Date Publish Online
2020-08-02