UPM Institutional Repository

The effects of weathering on mechanical properties of kenaf unsaturated polyester composites (KFUPC).


Citation

Ab. Rashdi, Abdalla A. and Salit, Mohd Sapuan and Abdan, Khalina and Megat Ahmad, Megat Mohamad Hamdan (2010) The effects of weathering on mechanical properties of kenaf unsaturated polyester composites (KFUPC). Polymers and Polymer Composites, 18 (6). pp. 337-343. ISSN 0967-3911; ESSN: 1478-2391

Abstract

Kenaf Fibre reinforced composites have been gaining wide use in the variety of applications. The performance of these composit es may suffer when the material is exposed to adverse environments for long periods of time. Kenaf fibre unsaturated polyester composites (KFUPC) were subjected to three environmental tests: water immersion, soil buried and natural weather tests, in order to study the effect of water/relative humidity absorption on the mechanical properties of specimens containing 10, 20 and 30% by weight of fibre content. Tensile strength and modulus of the composites were determined. A decrease in tensile properties of the composites was demonstrated, showing a great loss in mechanical properties of the humid samples compared to the dry samples. The percentage of moisture uptake increased as the weight percentage of fibre is increased due to the high cellulose content. The water absorption pattern of these composites was found to follow Fickian behavior.


Download File

[img]
Preview
PDF (Abstract)
The effects of weathering on mechanical properties of kenaf unsaturated polyester composites.pdf

Download (85kB) | Preview

Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Faculty of Engineering
Publisher: RAPRA Technology
Keywords: Cellulose content; Composite specimens; Fibre content; Moisture uptake; Natural conditions; Natural fibre composites; Natural weathering; Relative humidities; Unsaturated polyester; UV radiation; Weight percentages.
Depositing User: Fatimah Zahrah @ Aishah Amran
Date Deposited: 21 Jan 2014 05:40
Last Modified: 12 Nov 2015 04:26
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/17629
Statistic Details: View Download Statistic

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item