Volume 11 Issue 3 ( September 2024)

The aims of this study is to investigate the effect of immersion on flexural and impact strength of UPRs-CFs composites with addition of MCC. Composites were made with 30% vf of CFs using compression molding process. The specimens were soaked into 3 types of fluids: fresh water (represented by distilled water), sea water, and acidic solution. Each variation of immersion involved 4 types of composites: UPRs-MCC, UPRs-UCFs, UPRs-FCFs, and UPRs-ACFs composites. The immersion process took 60 days. The highest mass and dimensional changes were obtained for composites soaked in fresh water, followed by acidic solution, and sea water. UPRs-ACFs composites had the lowest water absorption rate, followed by UPRs-FCFs and UPRs-UCFs composites in all fluid types. Both flexural and impact strength decreased after immersion compared to control specimens. The 60-days-immersion accelerated degradation of specimen components, microscopic crack growth, and deterioration of the interfacial area between matrix and fibers.

Keywords: different fluid immersion; mechanical properties; fumigation treatment; alkaline treatment; UPRs; cantala fibers; microcrystalline cellulose