Natural fiber composites durability in alkaline condition or construction application

CATALINA GÓMEZ HOYOS; MARIA LAURA FORESTI; MARIANO ESCOBAR; ANALIA VAZQUEZ

Gramado Brasil

Conferencia; ISNAPOL 2010; 2010

ABPOL

This paper studies the use of nano-clay as epoxy addition in natural fibers composites. Evaluating their durability in alkaline conditions and mechanical properties. To assess their durability, epoxy fique and epoxy nano-clay (C30B) fique composites were exposed to saturated calcium hydroxide solution and water. In addition, the durability of composites was evaluated in cement mortar aged in a saturated solution of calcium carbonated 50°C. Composites were elaborated by pultrusion. Fique fibers previously treated with NaOH solution 18wt% and untreated sisal fibers were used. As matrix epoxy and epoxy matrix premixed with nano-clay type C30B 5wt%were used. Results show that composite elaborated with fique fibers treated with NaOH 18wt% solution and epoxy nano-clay, improve their tangent and modulus flexural strength around 18% .In addition their durability and water uptake were improved too as a consequence that fiber treatment get better interface compatibility with epoxy matrix.