Thermophysical and fire properties of vakka natural fiber reinforced polyester composites

Abstract

Partially biodegradable green composites have been made by incorporating vakka fibers as reinforcement in the polyester matrix. The influence of fiber content and temperature on thermal conductivity, specific heat and thermal diffusivity of composites was investigated. The transverse thermal conductivity of unidirectional composites was investigated experimentally by a guarded heat flow meter method. It was observed that the thermal conductivity of composite decreased with increase in fiber content and at maximum volume fraction of fiber, thermal conductivity of the composites was found to be 0.179 W/m · K. Moreover, the experimental results of thermal conductivity as a function of volume fraction were compared with theoretical model. Thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of the composite increased with temperature. The lowest thermal diffusivity of 0.55 × 10−7 m2/s for the composite was achieved at a temperature of 120℃. Fire behavior of vakka fiber composite and virgin polyester was investigated using cone calorimeter. The composite ignite earlier and emit lower values of heat release rate and peak heat release rate, when compared to neat polyester resin. Theoretical models were used to predict time to flashover and ignition temperature using cone calorimeter test results as input data.

Study on the Mechanical Characteristics, Heat Resistance, and Corrosion Resistance of Unsaturated Polyester Resin Composite

“…The results show that, compared with the continuous fiber, the chopped fiber has better isotropy, while the glass microcrystals in the continuous glass fiber are oriented to different degrees along the fiber axis, and the axial thermal conductivity is much larger than the radial thermal conductivity, showing obvious anisotropy. Moreover, the hybridization of natural fiber with glass allows a significantly better heat transport ability of the composites; the mechanical strength of the composites is improved under 100 • C, while the strength and ductility loss over 250 • C as the higher temperature causes some fractures of the fiber-matrix interfaces [12,13]. Errajhi et al [14] conducted a study on the water absorption behavior of aluminized E-glass fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester composites.…”