Effects of water absorption on the mechanical properties of RF/CSP/VE hybrid composite

Abstract

The effects of water absorption on the mechanical properties of Roselle Fiber/Coconut ShellParticulate/Vinyl Ester (RF/CSP/VE) hybrid composite were studied in this paper, based on the content of Roselle Fiber (RF) and Coconut Shell Particulate (CSP). The RF/CSP/VE hybrid composites were prepared on dry basis and their mechanical properties are evaluated for comparison with the mechanical properties of RF/CSP/VE hybrid composite at wet condition. The CSPs are added with RFs at four different concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 15% by weight) at dry condition. The content of Roselle fiber is fixed as 20 wt%. Composites are prepared by hand lay-up technique. It was observed that the tensile and flexural properties of RF/VE composite at dry condition are increased linearly with the increase of CSP content. The impact strength of RF/VE composite at dry condition is not significantly affected by the addition of CSPs. The percentage of water absorption of RF/VE composite was decreased with the addition of CSP content. The highest and lowest percentage of water absorption was identified at 20RF/5CSP and 20RF/15CSP composites respectively. Mechanical properties of RF/VE and RF/CSP/VE composites at dry condition are higher than the mechanical properties of RF/VE and RF/CSP/VE composites at wet condition.The effects of water absorption on the mechanical properties of Roselle Fiber/Coconut ShellParticulate/Vinyl Ester (RF/CSP/VE) hybrid composite were studied in this paper, based on the content of Roselle Fiber (RF) and Coconut Shell Particulate (CSP). The RF/CSP/VE hybrid composites were prepared on dry basis and their mechanical properties are evaluated for comparison with the mechanical properties of RF/CSP/VE hybrid composite at wet condition. The CSPs are added with RFs at four different concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 15% by weight) at dry condition. The content of Roselle fiber is fixed as 20 wt%. Composites are prepared by hand lay-up technique. It was observed that the tensile and flexural properties of RF/VE composite at dry condition are increased linearly with the increase of CSP content. The impact strength of RF/VE composite at dry condition is not significantly affected by the addition of CSPs. The percentage of water absorption of RF/VE composite was decreased with the addition of CSP content....