Plasma-treated abaca fabric/unsaturated polyester composite fabricated by vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding

Abstract

To improve the adhesion and wetting between the abaca fibers and matrix, the surface of abaca fabric was modified using plasma polymerization. Different plasma exposure times were conducted to determine the effect of plasma treatment on the properties of the composites. A combination of plasma and other surface modification processes was also investigated to determine whether double treatments could further enhance the properties of these composites. Combined treatments involve plasma polymerization of the fabric after pretreatment with one of the following surface-modification reagents: a) γ -methacrylopropyltrimethylsilane, b) triethoxyvinylsilane, and c) 2% w/w NaOH (aq).The abaca fabric/unsaturated polyester composites were fabricated using the vacuumassisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) technique.SEM results showed that 10 to 20 seconds plasma treatment gave the right amount of surface roughness for maximum fiber and matrix adhesion leading to improved mechanical properties of the composites. Longer plasma treatment time and double treatment however resulted in composites with lower mechanical properties. Although the composite with alkali and plasma-treated fabric showed the lowest mechanical properties it exhibited the lowest water uptake in both distilled water and brine solution.

Characterization of 3D elastic porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) cell scaffolds fabricated by VARTM and particle leaching

“…7 The advantages of VARTM include the simplicity of the method, low cost, its fast processing speed, and its moulding ability at room temperature. 8 Over the past two decades, VARTM has been widely used in the automobile, marine, aerospace, and construction industries. Much research has been conducted on the resin infusion process in VATRM.…”

“…Vacuum‐assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM) is one of the most fascinating methods for fibre‐reinforced composite manufacture . The advantages of VARTM include the simplicity of the method, low cost, its fast processing speed, and its moulding ability at room temperature . Over the past two decades, VARTM has been widely used in the automobile, marine, aerospace, and construction industries.…”

A Review of Abaca Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: Different Modes of Preparation and Their Applications

“…Plasma treatment of abaca fabric enhanced its adhesion to unsaturated polyester and improved its wettability but exhibited notable low tensile strength even with supplementary mercerization and silylation. 53 There have also been attempts at of creating hybrid composites made of two or more fiber components. Abaca-glass composites exhibited better ductility, elongation, flexural strength and modulus.…”

Mechanical Properties of Abaca–Glass Fiber Composites Fabricated by Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Method

“…Abaca fibers have high tensile strength and impact strength that can be used for automotive applications. Several researchers have studied the properties of abaca fiber-reinforced thermoplastics [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ] and thermoset composites [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. The hybridization of abaca fibers with glass fibers and other natural fibers has also been studied [ 40 ].…”

“…The process offers safer, clean, and economical manufacturing of the composite that reduces voids, impurities, and bubbles and provides a homogeneous material with improved mechanical properties. There are few research studies on the hybridization of abaca fiber with glass fiber and manufacturing of natural fiber-reinforced composites using VARTM technology [ 34 , 35 , 41 ].…”