Mechanical Properties and Water Absorption Capacity of Hybrid GFRP Composites

Hybrid glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites have been used for decades in various engineering applications. However, it has a drawback with its application in marine/flood environments due to a lack of water resistance and frail mechanical stability. Floods have been considered one of th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wan Hamidon Wan Badaruzzaman, Noaman Mohammed Ridha Dabbagh, Kushairi Mohd Salleh, Esri Nasrullah Saharuddin, Nur Fashiha Mat Radzi, Mohd Amir Ashraff Azham, Shahrul Faizi Abdullah Sani, Sarani Zakaria
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-03-01
Series:Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/7/1394
Description
Summary:Hybrid glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites have been used for decades in various engineering applications. However, it has a drawback with its application in marine/flood environments due to a lack of water resistance and frail mechanical stability. Floods have been considered one of the most periodic hazards that could hit urban areas, due to climate change. The present paper aims to address this gap and to investigate the mechanical properties (tensile, compressive, and flexural strength) and water absorption capacity of hybrid GFRP composite comprising woven E-glass fabric and epoxy resin, various reinforcing materials (kenaf and coconut fibres), and various filler materials (fly ash, nano-silica, and calcium carbonate (CaCO<sub>3</sub>). The composites with 30 wt.% GFRP, 50 wt.% resin, 15 wt.% fly ash, 5 wt.% CaCO<sub>3</sub>, 10 wt.% GFRP, 60 wt.% resin, and 30 wt.% fly ash showed the lowest water absorption property of 0.45%. The results revealed that the GFRP composite reinforced kenaf fibres with nano-silica, fly ash, and CaCO<sub>3</sub> improved the water absorption resistance. At the same time, GFRP reinforced the coconut fibres with fly ash, and kenaf fibres with CaCO<sub>3</sub> showed no favourable impact on water absorption. The identification of a hybrid GFRP composite with various reinforcing materials and fillers would assist future developments with a more compatible, enhanced, and reliable water-resistant composite, specifically for structural applications in flood-prone areas.
ISSN:2073-4360