Thermal and mechanical behavior of cotton/vinyl ester composites: Effects of some flame retardants and fiber treatment

Abstract

Natural fibers are low-cost fibers with low density and high specific properties. These fibers are biodegradable and non-abrasive. The natural fiber composites offer unique properties comparable to those of conventional synthetic fiber composites. However, development of these composites is often hampered by weak compatibility between fibers and polymer matrix and poor thermal resistance, which often reduce their performance. This paper reports thermal properties and flammability of cotton/vinyl ester composites containing some flame retardant materials such as ammonium molybdate, aluminum trihydroxide, antimony trioxide and Chlorez tested by thermogravimetric analysis and flame retardancy. Addition of flame retardants to cotton/vinyl ester composites reduced burning rate and produced a self-extinguishing flame in some flame-resistant systems. In addition, alkali treatment of cotton fibers using 15% NaOH solution was conducted to improve compatibility of cotton fibers and vinyl ester resin. Tensile test indicated that the treated cotton fibers improved the interfacial bonding and enhanced elongation-at-break of the composites.

Study on the Aging Mechanism of Boron Potassium Nitrate (BKNO3) for Sustainable Efficiency in Pyrotechnic Mechanical Devices

“…There are three stages of weight loss in the TGA plot, indicating that the decomposition of the BKNO 3 sample initiated at around 300, 410, and 500 °C. The first two stages are attributed to the weak stability of ester groups 35 in laminac and the weight losses were 3.3% and 2.3%, respectively. The polymer binder was perfectly decomposed at 410 °C with a total weight loss of 5.6%.…”

Monte Carlo Study of Rubber Elasticity on the Basis of Finsler Geometry Modeling

“…The only difference is that M in Figure 8b The 2D simulation data τ sim and M are shown with the experimental data τ exp of untreated cotton/vinyl ester composites reported in Ref. [53] in Figure 9a-d. In the experimental data for τ exp (×) in Figure 9a,c, no upturn is observed [54].…”

New trends in vinyl ester resins

“…Cellulose fabricated VER composites showed a gradual increase in water uptake, tensile modulus, and flexural strength with an increase in cellulose fiber volume fraction in composites (Alhuthali and Low 2013a). The thermal and mechanical behaviors of alkali-treated and -untreated cotton-fiberreinforced VE composites have also been reported by Shahedefar and Rezadoust (2013). It was observed that the use of alkali-treated cotton fiber to reinforce VER improved the tensile strength and elongation-at-break of composites by 5% and 25%, respectively, as compared with that of untreated cotton fiber composites due to increased surface roughness by the removal of wax and oil from the surface of the fibers.…”