Mechanical Properties and Chemical Resistance of Short Tamarind Fiber/Unsaturated Polyester Composites

Journal article

Authors/Editors

Muzenda, Edison

Research Areas

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Frascati classification)

Publication Details

Subtitle: Influence of Fiber Modification and Fiber Content

Author list: Muzenda, Edison

Publisher: Taylor & Francis: STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles

Publication year: 2013

Journal: International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization (1023-666X)

Volume number: 18

Issue number: 7

Start page: 520

End page: 533

Number of pages: 14

ISSN: 1023-666X

eISSN: 1563-5341

URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1023666X.2013.816073

Languages: English-United States (EN-US)

View on publisher site

Abstract

In the present work, tamarind fibers were extracted from ripened fruits by the water retting process. Using these fibers as reinforcement and unsaturated polyester as matrix, composite samples were prepared by the hand lay-up technique. The effect of chemical surface treatments (alkali and silane) of tamarind fibers on the mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and interfacial bonding was studied. The mechanical properties of the composites with surface modified fibers were found to be higher than those with unmodified fibers. Morphological studies indicated improvement of interfacial bonding by alkali and silane coupling agent treatments of the fibers. The composites were found to be resistant to many chemicals.

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