Effect of saline degradation on the mechanical properties of vinyl ester matrix composites reinforced with glass and natural fibers |
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| Authors: | F. N. P. Nicolai V. R. Botaro V. F. Cunha Lins |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Chemistry Department, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, 35400‐000, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil;2. Universidade Federal de S?o Carlos, Campus Sorocaba, Avenida Darci Carvalho Dafferner 200, Alto da Boa Vista, Alto da Boa Vista, 18043970, Sorocaba, Brazil;3. Corrosion and Surface Engineering Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Department, Engineering School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, 35 Espírito Santo Street, 30160‐030, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil |
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| Abstract: | One important application of polymeric composites reinforced with natural fibers is in the area of naval engineering design. The objective of this work was to study the influence of saline degradation on the mechanical properties of vinyl ester matrix composites reinforced with glass, sisal, and coconut fibers and natural fibers modified with bitumen. All samples presented mass loss after exposure in a salt spray chamber. All materials, except the composite reinforced with coconut–bitumen, showed a decrease in toughness after a salt spray test. The fracture of the vinyl ester resin with sisal and sisal–bitumen fibers showed a fiber bridging mechanism. These materials showed the highest value of toughness among the materials studied. The presence of fiber pullout was observed in the samples of vinyl ester resin reinforced with glass, coconut, and coconut fibers covered with bitumen. In these samples, poor adhesion between the fiber and matrix was observed. The treatment of fibers with bitumen increased the mass loss and decreased the stability of samples in a saline atmosphere. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008 |
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| Keywords: | adhesion fracture reinforcement resins toughness |
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