Thermal, Abrasion and Dynamic-Mechanical Properties of Sugar Cane Bagasse Reinforced Polyester Resin Biocomposites

Biodegradable composites (SCB-PES) and a control sample were developed from polyester resin (PES) matrix and sugar cane bagasse (SCB) fibre at different matrix- fibre compositions using the compression technique. The effects of fibre content (9–54 wt%) and fibre treatment on thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of polyester / sugar cane bagasse fibre biocomposites were evaluated via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and DMA (Model: DMA 242 E Artemis) storage modulus (E1), loss modulus (E11), change in length of modulus (∆l), tan delta (E11/ E1) and glass transition temperature (Tg). The results showed that while the weight of the pure PES matrix showed a near complete disappearance between 400 –500 0C, the 9 % FW SCB-PES composite lost nearly 50% of its weight, in the same temperature region. The results which show that SCB-PES composites demonstrated acceptable thermal and abrasion properties portrays the effectiveness of SCB as reinforcement for PES matrix and the potential of the eco-friendly composites in the fabrication of utility materials for sustainable development. The weight loss (wt%) by the composites after 6 months soil burying test ranged from 22.24 -85.34 %.  

Keywords:

Biodegradability , Dynamic-mechanical properties , Polyester Resin , Sugar cane bagasse , Thermal