Water resistance properties of kenaf bast fiber bundle (KBFB)–reinforced composites with either unsaturated polyester (UPE) or vinyl ester (VE) matrices, developed in previous research, were studied. The effects of styrene content in UPE resin on the neat UPE resin tensile properties and molding pressure on composite flexural properties were evaluated. The effect of laser and plasma radiation on fiber-matrix interfacial shear strengths was studied. The composites exhibited high water uptake during short- and long-term water immersion. Encapsulation by surface coating and edge sealing improved composite water resistance. Statistical analyses indicated that molding pressures of 5 to 7 MPa were preferable to achieve the maximum composite mechanical properties, and 37.6 percent (wt/wt) styrene in the UPE resin gave the highest UPE matrix tensile properties in the studied range. Laser and plasma radiation of the KBFBs significantly improved fiber-matrix interfacial bonding.
Contributor Notes
The authors are, respectively, Graduate Student and Professor, Forest Products Lab. (yd33@msstate.edu, jZhang@cfr.mssstate.edu), Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy (cw175@msstate.edu), Associate Professor, Dept. of Aerospace Engineering (lacy@ae.msstate.edu), Mississippi State Univ., Mississippi State; Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Utah State Univ., Logan (anna.xue@usu.edu); Associate Professor, Dept. of Chemical Engineering (hossein@che.msstate.edu), Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering (mfhorst@cavs.msstate.edu), and Professor, Dept. of Chemistry (CPittman@chemistry.mssstate.edu), Mississippi State Univ., Mississippi State. This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the US Government. Neither the US Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the US Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the US Government or any agency thereof. Approved for publication as Journal Article no. FP565 of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State Univ. This paper was received for publication in May 2010. Article no. 10-00008.