Effect of hybridization on the water absorption behaviour of pultruded kenaf fibre-reinforced polyester composites

In this study, pultruded kenaf/glass fibre hybrid reinforced composites (PKGRCs) were subjected to water immersion tests in order to study its water absorption behaviour and its effects on mechanical properties. The study was conducted by immersing composite specimens into distilled water at tempera...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Composite interfaces 2013-10, Vol.20 (7), p.517-528
Main Authors: Osman, M.R., Akil, H.M., Mohd Ishak, Z.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
environmental degradation
fibres
mechanical properties
polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
pultrusion
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In this study, pultruded kenaf/glass fibre hybrid reinforced composites (PKGRCs) were subjected to water immersion tests in order to study its water absorption behaviour and its effects on mechanical properties. The study was conducted by immersing composite specimens into distilled water at temperature of 65 °C for a period of six weeks. Water absorption curves were obtained, and diffusion coefficient (D) and maximum moisture content (M m ) were determined. The water absorption behaviour of composite was found to follow a so-called Fickian behaviour. The flexural and compression properties were found to decrease with increasing water uptake. In order to compare between the hybrid composite and conventional composites, pultruded kenaf fibre-reinforced composites (PKRCs) and pultruded glass fibre-reinforced composites (PGRCs) specimens were also been prepared and undergo the same study.
ISSN:0927-6440
1568-5543
DOI:10.1080/15685543.2013.811182