Thermal properties of treated sugar palm yarn/glass fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester hybrid composites

Abstract

In this work, the effects of alkaline treatment and hybridization on the thermal properties of sugar palm yarn/glass fiber were investigated. The sugar palm fiber was treated with 1% of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution for 1 h and the ratio of between matrix and reinforcement was 70/30 wt.% and 60/40 wt.%, respectively, while the ratio of reinforcement between sugar palm yarn fiber and glass fiber was 70/30 wt.%, 60/40 wt.% and 50/50 wt.%, respectively. The thermal properties of the hybrid composites were analyzed using a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E'') and damping factor (tan δ) were evaluated as a function of the alkaline treatment and different percentages of fiber loading. Also, the peak high was investigated for the tan δ curves. In the glassy state area, a higher glass fiber loading hybridized with treated sugar palm fiber exhibited the highest storage modulus, loss modulus and the lowest damping factor. TGA demonstrated that the percentage of residue decreased as the glass fiber loading increased. Overall, the hybridization of glass fiber with treated sugar palm fiber enhances the thermal properties of the hybrid composites for structural applications. Keywords: Sugar palm fiber, Glass fiber, Yarn, DMA, TGA, Alkaline treatment, Unsaturated polyester