Natural Weathering And Hygrothermal Aging Studies Of Jute/Glass Fibres Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Hybrid Composites

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Date
2011-01
Authors
Tay, Hong Kang
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Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
The research on the durability studies of unsaturated polyester (UP) based composites consists of two parts. The first part is mainly to investigate the effects of natural weathering on the mechanical and morphological properties of UP matrix as well as jute fibre- (JF), glass fibre- (GF) and jute/glass hybrid (JF/GF) fibrereinforced UP composites were investigated. The UP matrix was prepared by casting method, whereas the composites were fabricated by a hand lay-up technique. For the natural weathering study, specimens were exposed for up to maximum of twelve months under tropical climatic conditions (Tmax=31.2±3.8oC, Tmin=23.7±2.7oC, RH= 79.7±18.0%) in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. The mechanical, physical and morphological properties of composites were used to measure the extent of degradation in the composites upon weathering. The flexural, tensile, fracture toughness and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) properties were evaluated to measure the mechanical retentionability of the naturally weathered specimens. The mechanical strength reduction of the naturally weathered JF/UP composite specimens were due to degradation of the exposed surface and the fibre/matrix interface by a combination of environmental factors which was revealed by SEM micrographs and colour fading of the exposed surfaces. The hybridisation of JG and GF has improved the mechanical performance and has also enhanced the durability of the hybrid composites upon exposure to natural weathering.
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Keywords
Natural Weathering , Jute/Glass Fibres Reinforced
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