Abstract
The effects of chemical treatment on the mechanical, morphological, and chemical resistance properties of uniaxial natural fabrics, Grewia tilifolia/epoxy composites, were studied. In order to enhance the interfacial bonding between the epoxy matrix and the Grewia tilifolia fabrics, two different types of treatment: alkali treatment (5 % NaOH) and (3-aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane coupling agent (CA), were used. The epoxy composites containing 0-15 wt% of Grewia tilifolia fabric were prepared by hand lay-up technique, at room temperature. The tensile and flexural properties of the untreated, alkali-treated and coupling agent treated Grewia tilifolia reinforced epoxy composites were determined as a function of fabric loading. The 9 % wt Grewia tilifolia fabric reinforced epoxy composites showed improved tensile and flexural modulii when compared to the neat epoxy matrix. Significant improvement in the mechanical properties was obtained when both alkali and coupling agent treated fabrics were used as reinforcement. Morphological studies demonstrated that better adhesion between the fabrics and the matrix was achieved especially when the alkali-treated and coupling agent treated Grewia tilifolia fabrics were used in the composites. For the water absorption and chemical resistance studies, various solvents, acids and alkalis were used on the epoxy composites. This study has shown that Grewia tilifolia fabric/epoxy composites are promising candidates for structural applications, where high strength and stiffness are required.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1462-1468 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Fibers and Polymers |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Department of Polymer Technology, Tshwane University of Technology, CSIR Campus, Pretoria, South Africa 1DST/CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria 0001, South Africa 2Department of Polymer Science and Technology, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur 515003, India (Received August 13, 2012; Revised January 8, 2013; Accepted January 12, 2013)
Funding Information:
JJR, GSMR and KVP wish to acknowledge Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, and the National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials, CSIR, Pretoria, the for their supports. The author AVR thanks the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research of India for the award of an Emeritus Scientist, Scheme [21(0842)11/EMR-II dt: 10-05-2011].
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry
- General Chemical Engineering
- Polymers and Plastics