Effect of experimental wet and dry cycles on bamboo fibre reinforced acrylic polymer modified cement composites

Abstract

This study experimentally evaluated the effect of accelerated wet/dry cycles on the dimensional stability and some selected mechanical properties of polymer modified vegetable fibre cement composites. The bamboo fibres were pre-treated with 10% conc. of sodium hydroxide and varied from 0 – 2.0% while acrylic polymer admixture of 10% w/w of cement was added to improve the properties. The modified fibre-cement composites were subjected to 50 cycles of wet/dry processes to simulate natural weathering process of the environment. The samples were subjected to water absorption, thickness swelling, modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) after 28 days of curing and aging cycles respectively using 5 replicates. One way ANOVA at p<0.05 was used to analyse the results. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transformer Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were conducted on the samples. The results showed improvement of 33.3, 64, 71 and 57% in MOR and 135, 85, 101 and 188% in MOE for samples with 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% fibre inclusion after ageing tests. Significantly improved dimensional stability values were observed in this study in comparison with data from similar ageing tests conducted on unmodified vegetable fibre-cement matrix. SEM micrographs showed marginal increase in the size of the pores before and after ageing tests. FTIR analysis indicated increase in intensities during the ageing tests especially for spectra bands located at 3384 – 3520cm−1 which are denoted for OH vibration stretching as well as 1676, 1726 and 1794 cm−1 which depict the presence of carbonyl groups because of absorption of polymers to the fibre surface during the ageing cycles. The study has shown thatwet/dry ageing cycles showed less harmful effect on vegetable fibre cement composites provided the cement matrix is modified with polymer admixtures.

Effects of Moisture Absorption and Thickness Swelling Behaviors on Mechanical Performances of Carica Papaya Fiber Reinforced Polymeric Composites

“…Presence of polar groups in the lignocellulosic materials is the main reason for their poor absorption resistance (Salim, Asik, and Sarjadi 2021). Due to the water absorption, the fibermatrix interface and the cell wall were wet and moisture built up, implying fiber swelling (Akinyemi and Omoniyi 2020). Fiber swelling in the composite specimen was responsible for the changes in the external appearance and dimensions, particularly in their thicknesses.…”

Study on the Molding Factors of Preparing High-Strength Laminated Bamboo Composites

“…Various kinds of bamboo are characterized by their stems formed by a thatch, usually hollow, lignified, very fast growing, remaining one of the last plant resources that has not been massively exploited [2][3][4]. As a renewable, natural bio-composite, bamboo shows several advantages like the outstanding mechanical properties it possesses [5,6]. Given this, multiple bamboo products are commonly used in a wide range of applications like flooring, roofing, furniture, building, and other fields [7,8].…”

“…Bamboo bundles can be joined from the width direction to form a bamboo bundle fibrillated veneer [19]. Glue-laminated bamboo is another important method to achieve the expected mechanical properties [6]. The unit is typically made up of bamboo strips, which is glued and pressed together into beams or panels.…”

Preparation and Properties of Natural Bamboo Fiber-Reinforced Recycled Aggregate Concrete

“…Additionally, Chakkour et al [ 32 ] experimentally determined that the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of bamboo fiber composites decreased by 18.15 ± 0.34% and 18.55 ± 0.4%, respectively, after 120 days of immersion. Akinyem et al [ 33 ] assessed the impact of 50 cycles of wet/dry processes on plant fiber cementitious composites, noting a slight increase in pore size before and after aging tests, with improved dimensional stability when sodium hydroxide was used at concentrations between 0 and 2.0%. Geremew et al [ 34 ] investigated the effect of alkali treatment on the surface morphology of bamboo fibers.…”