Natural Fiber Composites Durability in alkaline condition for building application

C. GOMEZ HOYOS; M. LAURA FORESTI; M. ESCOBAR; A. VAZQUEZ

Gramados

Simposio; 7th International symposium of Natural Polymer and Composites; 2010

This paper evaluates the durability of epoxy and epoxy nanoclay/alkaline treated fique composites elaborated by pultrusion, as measure of strength loss occurred over the time. To assess their durability, composites were exposed to saturated calcium hydroxide solution and water pH 7.3 and pH 12 respectively, with the aim of simulate alkaline conditions and predict their behavior in cement mortar. Moreover, the durability of composites was also evaluated in cement mortar aged in a saturated solution of calcium carbonated at 50 grados centígrados.Composites were elaborated using pultrusion technique. 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 5 wt% were used.Results show that composite elaborated with fique fibers treated with NaOH 18 wt% 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.