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Abstract

Glass or Coir fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) composite specimens with 0, 15, and 30 wt% reinforcement are prepared and tested for weathering properties due to moisture and ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Short duration soaking, long duration soaking, accelerated (boiling water) soaking, and UV with moisture exposure tests are conducted on specimens prepared using a hot press designed for the purpose. These tests have shown that PP/glass specimens are superior to PP/coir specimens with respect to rate of water absorption and thickness swelling. While both deformation and delamination are observed in soaking tests, discoloration and surface roughness are the characteristic degradation features of UV with moisture exposure test. The degradation mechanisms are explained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Keywords

coir glass fiber polypropylene UV degradation SEM

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Studies on the Weathering Behavior of Glass Coir Polypropylene Composites

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