Abdullah Alhuthali

Mechanical properties of cellulose fibre reinforced vinyl-ester composites in wet conditions

The effect of prolonged water absorption on the physical and mechanical properties has been investigated for vinyl-ester composites reinforced with natural fibres. The elastic modulus of these composites was measured and the data were validated with various mathematical models. The modelling results revealed that the experimental data matched the data predicted by the Cox–Krenchel model. Prolonged exposure of these composites to water absorption caused a reduction in elastic modulus and strength.

Multi-scale hybrid eco-nanocomposites: synthesis and characterization of nano-SiC-reinforced vinyl-ester eco-composites

Polymer eco-nanocomposites based on vinyl-ester, recycled cellulose fibre and nano-silicon carbide (n-SiC) have been synthesized and characterized in terms of porosity, water-absorption behaviour, thermal and mechanical properties. The addition of n-SiC led to reduced porosity and water uptake because of enhanced fibre–matrix adhesion which permitted efficient load transfer and thus strength improvement. However, n-SiC addition reduced the prevalence of fibre debonding and pull-outs, thus causing sample brittleness and inferior fracture toughness. In terms of thermal properties, n-SiC addition facilitated improved mass transport and heat barriers, thus improving thermal stability and fire resistance.

Characterization of Mechanical and Fracture Behaviour in Nano-Silicon Carbide-Reinforced Vinyl-Ester Nanocomposites

Vinyl-ester/nano-silicon carbide nanocomposites were synthesised and investigated in terms of their mechanical and fracture properties. Results show that the addition of nano-SiC particles increases modulus and strength, but reduces toughness. The enhancement in strength for nanocomposites was attributed to good interfacial adhesion and good degree of dispersion. The experimental data for elastic modulus were modelled using several theoretical models. The excellent agreement with the experimental data for elastic modulus given by the Guth and Kerner models indicate that the degree of dispersion and the quality of particle/matrix adhesion were both important considerations for the prediction of elastic modulus.

Influence of halloysite nanotubes on physical and mechanical properties of cellulose fibres reinforced vinyl ester composites

Natural fibres are generally added to polymer matrix composites to produce materials with the desirable mechanical properties of higher specific strength and higher specific modulus while at the same time to maintain a low density and low cost. The physical and mechanical properties of polymer composites can be enhanced through the addition of nanofillers such as halloysite nanotubes. This article describes the fabrication of vinyl ester eco-composites and eco-nanocomposites and characterizes these samples in terms of water absorption, mechanical and thermal properties. Weight gain test and Fourier transform infrared analysis indicated that 5% halloysite nanotube addition gave favourable reduction in the water absorption and increased the fibre–matrix adhesion leading to improved strength properties in the eco-nanocomposites. However, halloysite nanotube addition resulted in reduced toughness but improved thermal stability.