Mechanical, electrical and water absorption study of Jute/Glass/Jute-bamboo/Glass-bamboo-bisphenol-C-formaldehyde-acrylate a value added composites

Bisphenol-C-formaldehyde-acrylate (BCFA) resin was synthesized by reacting 0.1 mol bisphenol-C-formaldehyde resin, 0.4 mol acrylic acid in 25 ml 1,4-dioxane and 1.5 g phenothiazine catalyst at 80 degrees C for 6 h. Jute, glass, jute-bamboo, and glass-bamboo composites were prepared by compression molding technique at 150 degrees C for 2 h under 30.4 MPa pressure. Jute-BCFA, Glass-BCFA, Jute-bambooBCFA, Glass-Bamboo-BCFA possess 50, 114, 49, and 65MPa tensile strength; 58, 185, 69, and 70MPa flexural strength; 1.2, 3.3, 1.3, and 1.9 kV/mm electric strength and 6.2 x 10(12), 2.5 x 10(13), 6.6 x 10(12), and 1.5 x 10(13) ohm cm volume resistivity. The data are interpreted in terms of nature of fibers and resin and fiber loading and orientation. Water absorption behavior of composites is tested in pure water, 10% NaCl and 10% Hcl solutions at room temperature as well as in boiling water. Observed diffusivity order for each of composite is H2O< NaCl < HCl. Sandwich composites shown high water absorption in all media due to high bamboo fiber loading and fiber agglomeration. The presence of HCl and NaCl affected the water structure and hence diffusivity. Jute-bambooBCFA and Glass-Bamboo-BCFA delaminated in boiling water within half an hour. Mechanical and electrical properties and water absorption behavior are affected by the nature of fibers and matrix, fiber loading and fiber arrangement. Fairly good mechanical and electrical properties of Jute-BCFA and Glass-BCFA and their low water absorption behavior signify their usefulness as low load bearing applications. Composites signify their use for low load bearing applications in construction, electrical and marine industries.