Effect of water absorption on pultruded jute/glass fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester hybrid composites

The use of natural fibers in polymer composites has given renewed interest to the development of green composites today. However, the moisture absorption of natural fibers gives serious concern, especially for their potential outdoor applications. This article reports the study results on the water...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of composite materials 2012-01, Vol.46 (1), p.51-61
Main Authors: Zamri, Mohd Hafiz, Akil, Hazizan Md, Bakar, Azhar Abu, Ishak, Zainal Arifin Mohd, Cheng, Leong Wei
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Composites
Compressive properties
Exact sciences and technology
Fibers
Forms of application and semi-finished materials
Glass fiber reinforced plastics
Hybrid composites
Jute
Mechanical properties
Physical properties
Polyester resins
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Properties and testing
Technology of polymers
Unsaturated
Water absorption
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Summary:The use of natural fibers in polymer composites has given renewed interest to the development of green composites today. However, the moisture absorption of natural fibers gives serious concern, especially for their potential outdoor applications. This article reports the study results on the water absorption of pultruded jute/glass fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester hybrid composites, which was subjected to various water conditions and their effects on its mechanical properties. Water absorption tests were performed by immersing composite specimens into three different water conditions, namely: distilled water, sea water, and acidic water, which were at room temperature, for a period of 3 weeks. The characteristic parameter of diffusion coefficient (D) and maximum moisture content (Mm) were determined from the obtained water absorption curves. The water absorption behavior of the glass/jute fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester hybrid composite was found to follow a non-Fickian behavior. The effects of the various aqueous environments on the flexural and compression characteristics were investigated in this study. The flexural and compression properties were found to decrease with an increasing percentage of water uptakes.
ISSN:0021-9983
1530-793X
DOI:10.1177/0021998311410488