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
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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.
Description
Keywords
Natural Weathering , Jute/Glass Fibres Reinforced