G. Babu Rao

Mechanical properties of short, natural fiber Hildegardia populifolia-reinforced styrenated polyester composites

Short, natural fibers belonging to the species Hildegardia populifolia were reinforced in styrenated polyester matrix. The mechanical properties of these polymer composites such as tensile modulus, compression strength at first deformation, flexural modulus, and izod impact strength were determined. The effect of alkaline treatment of the natural fiber on the mechanical properties of the composites has been reported. The fractured surfaces of these composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopic technique (SEM) to investigate the interfacial bonding between matrix and the reinforcement. The present work has been carried out in order to make partially biodegradable and eco-friendly composites.

Chemical resistance and tensile properties of epoxy/polycarbonate blend coated bamboo fibres

The bamboo fibres belonging to the family of Dendrocalamus strictus were coated with a blend of epoxy/polycarbonate with varying polycarbonate content. The chemical resistance of these fibres to some acids, alkalis and solvents was studied. The tensile load at break for these fibres was determined. The coated fibres showed higher tensile load at break, and were resistant to acids and alkalis. However, the solvent resistance of the coated fibres was found to be minimal.

Chemical Resistance and Tensile Properties of Epoxy/Unsaturated Polyester Blend Coated Bamboo Fibers:

The untreated and 2%aqueous NaOH treated bamboo fibers (Dendrocalamus strictus) were coated with epoxy, unsaturated polyester (UP) and their blends. The chemical resistance of these fibers to acetic acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, benzene, toluene, carbon tetrachloride and water was studied. The blend coated fibers showed better resistance to the chemicals mentioned above. The blend coated fibers had higher tensile strength. This was attributed to the hydrogen bonding between the unsaturated polyester and epoxides group.

Tensile Properties of Epoxy Coated Natural Fabric Hildegardia Populifolia

The natural fabric from the tree of Hildegardia populifolia was coated with epoxy and its tensile strength, elastic modulus, and the percent elongation at break were determined. The effect of sodium hydroxide and a silane coupling agent on the tensile properties of the fabric was also studied. It was observed that the tensile properties increased on alkali treatment but decreased when the silane based coupling agent was used.

Tensile properties of ligno-cellulosic fabrics coated with styrenated polyester resin

Ligno-cellulosic fabrics from the tree Hildegardia populifolia were coated with styrenated polyester resin, and their tensile strength, elastic modulus, and the percent elongation at break were determined. The effects of sodium hydroxide and a silane-coupling agent on the tensile properties of the fabric were also studied. It was observed that the tensile strength and the modulus decreased whereas the percent elongation at break increased with coating. The coupling agent improved the properties of the untreated and polyester-coated fabric, but a reverse trend was observed when the fabric was treated with sodium hydroxide. The possible reasons for this behavior are discussed.

Tensile Properties of Glass Rovings/Hydroxyl Terminated Polyester Toughened Epoxy Composites

Epoxy was toughened with 5% hydroxyl terminated polyester and different layers of glass woven rovings were reinforced into this matrix. Their tensile strength was determined. The variation of the tensile strength with weight fraction of the rovings was studied. The tensile strength was found to increase with rovings content. The morphology of the cryogenically fractured surfaces indicated good bonding between the matrix and the reinforcement when a coupling agent was used.

Thermogravimetric analysis of Dendrocalamus strictus bamboo fibers

The primary thermogram of the bamboo fibers of Dendrocalamus strictus family was recorded. Using the primary thermogram and its derivative, the initial degradation, inflection point and final degradation were determined. The refractoriness and integral procedural degradation temperatures were also determined. These studies revealed the suitability of bamboo fibers as reinforcement even with thermoplastic polyolefin matrix materials.

Tensile Properties of Glass-Mat Reinforced Polycarbonate Toughened Epoxy Composite

Epoxy was toughened with polycarbonate in different proportions. Woven glass mat was reinforced into this matrix. The variation of tensile strength with varying mat content and polycarbonate content was studied. The tensile strength of the composites was found to be higher than that of the matrix. Further, the tensile strength of both the composite and the matrix increased with polycarbonate content of up to 10%, beyond which it decreased. The tensile strength for 20% volume content of the glass-mat was found to be maximum when reinforced in both epoxy and blend matrices.