Use of renewable resources in making composites and their physico-chemical study

Abstract

Bisphenol-C epoxy polyester polyols of ricinoleic acid (EBCRA), linoleic acid (EBCLA), and oleic acid (EBCOA) and their toluene diisocyanate polyurethanes were prepared and used in making jute and jute—sugarcane husk sandwich composites by hand layup technique at 150^°C and under 27.58 MPa pressure for 6 h. Jute composites (J-ECRAT, J-ECLAT, and J-ECOAT) showed 25—35 MPa tensile strength, 12—34 MPa flexural strength, 1.7—1.9 kV/mm electric strength, and 3.9—15 × 10¹² Ω cm volume resistivity, while sandwich composites showed (J-ECRAT, J-ECLAT, and J-ECOAT) 9.6—21.9 MPa tensile strength, 17—60 MPa flexural strength, 1.7—2.6 kV/mm electric strength, and 3.3—490 × 10¹¹ Ω cm. Composites possess excellent hydrolytic stability in water, 10% aqueous HCl, 10% aqueous NaCl solutions, and boiling water. Composites may find their usefulness in low load-bearing housing units, electrical and electronic appliances, and marine applications.