Effect of functionalized metal oxides addition on the mechanical, thermal and swelling behaviour of polyester/jute composites

The unsaturated polyester composites were fabricated in hand lay-up method by reinforcing with jute fibre along with alumina or zirconia particles in different filler loading viz. 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%. It was observed that with incorporation of fillers, the microhardness value of the resulting composites increases and reaches its maximum at 20 wt% filler content. Characterizations were performed on the composites fabricated with overall 20 wt% filler content (18 wt% fibre and 2 wt% metal oxide particles). Various characterizations like Vicker's microhardness testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), limiting oxygen index (LOI) testing and water absorption test were performed. Tensile, Flexural testing were also performed on the normal and water absorbed samples. SEM analysis ensured good dispersion of filler within the polymer matrix. EDS and XRD were performed to identify the filler in the composites. FITR spectroscopy revealed the bonding of fillers with the matrix. TG analysis showed that thermal stability, degradation temperature of jute-ZrO2 composites were best over the others. LOI testing also shows similar trend, showing better fire resistant property of jute-ZrO2 composites than the Al2O3 dispersed. Water absorption test indicates the stability of different composite in various atmospheres (normal, boiling, simulated marine, alkali and acid water). (C) 2016 Karabuk University. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V.