In this study, the effects of improvement methods on the mechanical and thermal properties of textile fiber reinforced (T-FRP) composites were investigated. Five different chemical methods namely, silane treatment, alkaline treatment, alkali–silane treatment, maleic anhydride, and alkali–maleic anhydride coupling agents were applied to evaluate the suitable process parameters (concentration, soaking time, ratio by weight) for the enhanced properties of T-FRP composites. Tensile, three-point flexural and impact tests were performed on both untreated and treated composites for comparison purpose. Treated and untreated T-FRP composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to evaluate thermomechanical properties of composites. Results show that a significant improvement up to 60–70% can be seen on the mechanical properties of T-FRP composites via improving the interfacial adhesion and compatibility between fiber and matrix.
Sandwich composites based on coir fiber nonwoven mats as core material were manufactured by Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding technique. Mechanical and physical properties of produced coir/polyester and coir-glass/polyester composites were assessed. Samples were evaluated according to their reinforcement contents, resin contents, areal density, and thickness. Tests on physical properties revealed that coir-glass/ polyester sandwich structure has the lowest values of thickness swelling, water absorption and moisture contents compared with coir/polyester composite. Mechanical tests such as tensile strength, open-hole tensile strength, and flexural strength were also performed on all samples. Coir-glass/polyester sandwich structure showed significant increase in tensile strength of 70 MPa compared with 8 MPa of coir/polyester composite. Introducing two skins of fiber glass woven roving to coir/polyester increased its flexural strength from 31.8 to 131.8 MPa for coir-glass/polyester. POLYM. COMPOS., 00:000-000, 2015.
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