Baseline Moisture Resistance of PWP Cement Composite Boards Reinforced with Internal Glass Fiber Reinforcement under Accelerated Wet-Dry Aging

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to improve the mechanical characteristics and moisture resistance of parawood particle (PWP) cement composite board developed by the authors. PWP cement composites were prepared with a mixture containing 15.0% parawood particles, 43.0% cement, 41.2% water, and 0.86% CaCl2 (by weight) and the PWP cement composite boards were internally reinforced with bidirectional glass fiber woven roving [0°/90°]. The board properties were evaluated under accelerated aging with wet-dry cycles to establish the durability and moisture resistance and the effect on flexural strength of the composite boards. The mechanical characteristics determined were the equivalent modulus of rupture (eMOR), the equivalent modulus of elasticity (eMOE), and the deformability factor (DF). The experimental results suggest that the strength and stiffness of the PWP composite boards with internal reinforcement are four times higher than those of the original PWP composite boards under accelerated aging based on 100 wet-dry cycles, implying better durability of the boards in outdoor use. The results provide a baseline to which improved formulations and reinforcements or designs can be compared using the same measurement methodology.

Chopped Strand/Plain Weave E-Glass as Reinforcement in Vacuum Bagged Epoxy Composites

“…Addition of chopped strand E-glass fibres improved the strength and performance of composites. Prachasaree et al [15] studied the parawood particle composite boards for their mechanical characteristics and resistance to moisture with varying percentage of cement, water, and calcium chloride and parawood particle reinforced with bidirectional glass fabrics of [0 ∘ /90 ∘ ] orientation. Composite boards fabricated were exposed to wetdry cycles for simulating accelerated aging effects in order to assess the flexural durability and moisture resistance.…”