Characterization of Hybrid Composites with Polyester Waste Fibers, Olive Root Fibers and Coir Pith Micro-Particles Using Mixture Design Analysis for Structural Applications

Abstract

In the present work, hybrid composites were developed by using polyester waste fibers along with natural origin materials: olive root fibers and coir pitch filler. Such composite panels can be used as a potential alternative for fiber glass sunshade panels and room dividers in buildings. Hybrid composites were fabricated by mixing polyester waste fibers and olive root fibers in different ratios (0:100, 33:67, 67:33 and 100:0). Coir pith micro-particles with an average size of 312 d.nm were used as filler in the polyester matrix at three different levels (0%, 5%, and 10%) of the overall matrix weight. Mechanical properties, e.g., tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength, thermal properties, e.g., coefficient of linear thermal expansion, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and environmental properties, e.g., water absorption, loss of density after exposure to weathering were characterized. For comparison purposes, a commercially available fiber glass sunshades sample was also investigated. Mixture design analysis was used to optimize the ratio of all components in the composite. Graphical comparison of experimental results using regression models showed a high degree of correlation. An optimized formulation of composite with an objective of maximization of tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength and minimization of water absorption, density loss, as well as coefficient of linear thermal expansion, was determined at 70.83 wt%, 15.15 wt%, and 14.01 wt% of polyester waste fibers, olive root fibers and coir pith micro-fillers, respectively. Overall, it can be concluded that the developed hybrid composites from waste fibrous materials can be used as a promising alternative and a value-added application in buildings and construction purposes.

Textured Polyester Fiber in Three-Dimensional (3D) Carpet Structure Application: Experimental Characterizations under Compression–Bending–Abrasion–Rubbing Loading

“…Polyester generally has continuous, staple twisted, or crimped yarn forms [ 5 ] in use in apparel and interior floor covering textiles such as carpets [ 6 ]. On the other hand, recycled polyester from various textile applications is also utilized to make reinforced composites [ 7 ]. The critical parameters of polyester fiber are low cost, convenient processability, ease of blending with natural fibers, convenient recyclability, and tailorable performance [ 8 ].…”

Advances in Textile Structural Composites

“…The geometry of the reinforcing textile plays a crucial role in deciding the mechanical performance of textile-reinforced composites. Unlike conventional materials, textile geometrical structures, e.g., yarns or fabrics, can be designed and developed for load bearing in a particular direction [ 1 ]. Their properties can be enhanced by modifying the structure and material composition.…”