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a b s t r a c tFlexural creep behavior of nylon 6/6 (NY66)e and polypropylene (PP)e based long fiber (l/d ¼ 2000À10 000) thermoplastic (LFT) composites was investigated as a function of ultraviolet irradiation and moisture absorption. Extrusion/compression-molded panels were prepared according to ASTM D-2990 and conditioned according to ASTM D-618. NY66 and PP LFTs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in the unexposed condition, and as-exposed to 253.7 nm UV radiation. The creep compliance of PP LFT increased with increasing UV exposure, whereas the creep compliance of NY66 LFT showed a moderate decrease with increasing UV exposure. Moisture absorption experiments were performed in boiling water until saturation on NY66 and its LFT composites. Characterization of desorbed moisture absorption specimens suggested slight variation in the structure, and an analysis of creep compliances showed minimal changes as compared to the dry/unexposed specimens.

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Lignocellulosic byproducts derived from biofuel processes were analyzed as functional fillers in polypropylene-based biocomposites. Corn cob, a byproduct yielded from corn harvesting for ethanol production, and sunflower hull, a byproduct of seed stripping for biodiesel production, were both examined as ground filler agents. Composite blends with these lignocellulosic fillers at four filler loadings and four variants of surface compatibilizer loading were melt-compounded using a twin screw extruder and injection molded into test specimens. Tensile testing, notched Izod impact testing, and thermal-mechanical analysis were performed on the composites. The role of filler type, loading, and surface compatibilization were established and reported. Additionally, elastic modulus and tensile strength were successfully modeled using established particulate composite models.

a b s t r a c tBasalt fibres are emerging as a replacement to E-glass fibres in polymer matrix composites for selected applications. In this study, the fire structural resistance of a basalt fibre composite is determined experimentally and analytically, and it is compared against an equivalent laminate reinforced with E-glass fibres. When exposed to the same radiant heat flux, the basalt fibre composite heated up more rapidly and reached higher temperatures than the glass fibre laminate due to its higher thermal emissivity. The tensile structural survivability of the basalt fibre composite was inferior to the glass fibre laminate when exposed to the same radiant heat flux. Tensile softening of both materials occurred by thermal softening and decomposition of the polymer matrix and weakening of the fibre reinforcement, which occur at similar rates. The inferior fire resistance of the basalt fibre composite is due mainly to higher emissivity, which causes it to become hotter in fire.

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