Investigation on Physicochemical Properties of Sugarcane Bagasse Fibre - Reinforced Polyester Composite

Abstract

The experimental study of the physicochemical properties of biodegradable composite of sugarcane bagasse-polyester have been investigated. Natural composite materials having biodegradable property which makes them a material with limited lifespan, thereby there is a need to research on these materials beyond their normal scope before their lifespan for solid material applications as current technological concepts advances. In this research, water absorption, specific gravity, and chemical resistance test were conducted on sugarcane bagasse polyester composite of different specimen, using a laboratory beaker filled with distilled water, HCl, NaOH, H2O2, NaOCl and detergent solution, at a particular time observing a suitable ASTM. From the result obtained, specimen with 25 weights % increase in Sugarcane bagasse fibre loading, indicated water absorption value of 1.42 %, which could be acceptable for good resistance to water material. The chemical resistance test, severity of the attack and effect on the appearance and weight of the composites followed the order: 10% HCl > 10% NaOH solutions, the deteriorating effect of the composites showed to be unaffected by neither the amount of filler weight nor the presence of any additive incorporated in the SCB-PES composites.