No abstract

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.

Glass fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester composites were subjected to water immersion tests in order to study its water absorption behaviour its effects on mechanical properties. Water absorption tests were conducted by immersing composite specimens into three different environmental conditions included distilled water, sea water and acidic solution. Water absorption curves were obtained and diffusion coefficient ( D) and maximum moisture content ( Mm) 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.