Effect of chemical treatment on physical properties of sugarcane bagasse reinforced unsaturated polyester composite

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study the physical properties of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) reinforced unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) composites by utilizing a different percentage of fiber contents and different chemical treatments on fibers. Sugarcane bagasse reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites have been prepared using the compression molding technique. To enhance better adhesion between fiber and matrix, the SCB was chemically treated with alkaline (NaOH) solution and a silane solution for 2 hours. Physical properties such as water absorption and thickness swelling were carried out by soaking samples in water for designated hours and the density of the samples was also calculated. The result shows that, water absorption and thickness swelling increases with the presence of SCB. In addition, both alkaline and alkaline-silane chemical treatments successfully improved its water absorption properties as a result of the improvement of the fibre-matrix adhesion between the SCB and UPR matrix.