Water Absorption and Thickness Swelling Properties of Silica Aerogel Infused Sugar Palm Fiber/Polyester Composites
R. M. Shahroze1, M. R. Ishak2, M. Asim3, M. Chandrasekar4, M. T. Paridah5, M. Jawaid6
1R. M. Shahroze, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
2M. R. Ishak, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
3M. Asim, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products INTROP, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
4M. Chandrasekar, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
5M. T. Paridah, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products INTROP, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
6M. Jawaid, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products INTROP, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Manuscript received on 05 July 2019 | Revised Manuscript received on 15 August 2019 | Manuscript Published on 27 August 2019 | PP: 506-509 | Volume-8 Issue-2S4 July 2019 | Retrieval Number: B10990782S419/2019©BEIESP | DOI: 10.35940/ijrte.B1099.0782S419
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Using natural fibres as reinforcements in composites provides an inexpensive green alternate to its synthetic counterpart. In a similar scope, to enhance the usability of sugar palm fibres (SPF) in composites, various weight percentages (1% to 5%) of silica aerogel (SA) were infused in SPF reinforced unsaturated polyester composites. The samples were prepared using hand layup procedure followed by hot pressing at 80°C for 30 minutes. The physical properties such as water absorption and thickness swelling characteristics of the composites were investigated. The specimen of water absorption and thickness swelling were exposed to water absorption for a total of 90 days and measured on alternate days in first week. Later, the readings were taken on a weekly basis until the 3rd week and bi-weekly for the rest of immersion time. Pure SPF composites showed lowest water absorption and thickness swelling and it increased with addition of SA. The highest water absorption was recorded up to 12 % and thickness swelling was 7% in 5% SA composites. SA showed its hydrophilicity character, but the percentage of water absorption and thickness swelling is very less.
Keywords: Sugar Palm Fibres; Polyester; Silica Aerogel; Water Absorption and Thickness Swelling.
Scope of the Article: Composite Materials