Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Moisture Absorption Characteristics and Subsequent Mechanical Properties Loss of Enset-PLA Composites

Abebayehu Abdela Gelgelu
* ORCID logo ,
Maxim Vandaele
,
Sam Haenen
,
Bart Buffel
ORCID logo ,
Frederik Desplentere
ORCID logo ,
Belete Sirahbizu
Version 1 : Received: 5 August 2023 / Approved: 7 August 2023 / Online: 7 August 2023 (10:07:03 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Abdela, A.; Vandaele, M.; Haenen, S.; Buffel, B.; Sirahbizu, B.; Desplentere, F. Moisture Absorption Characteristics and Subsequent Mechanical Property Loss of Enset–PLA Composites. J. Compos. Sci. 2023, 7, 382. Abdela, A.; Vandaele, M.; Haenen, S.; Buffel, B.; Sirahbizu, B.; Desplentere, F. Moisture Absorption Characteristics and Subsequent Mechanical Property Loss of Enset–PLA Composites. J. Compos. Sci. 2023, 7, 382.

Abstract

One of the drawbacks of natural fibers and their composites is their inherent hydrophilic nature. The effect of moisture on mechanical properties of a composite is irrefutable. This study deals with hygroscopic characteristics of Enset-PLA composites and its effect on the mechanical properties of the composite. To do this, injection molded composite specimens of different fiber volume fraction; plasticizer ratio, fiber length, and fiber age have been considered. The specimens are exposed to distilled water and the moisture absorption was monitored on a daily base. Subsequently, the specimens are subjected to mechanical loading to determine the effect of moisture on their Strength, Stiffness and strain at break strength. Lastly, individual and joint effects of considered factors have been scrutinized using optimal design of experiment. The result from the study shows that maximum and minimum moisture uptake is noticed for 25% and 10% fiber ratio respectively. Due to moisture effect, tensile and bending strength is decreased by 11% and 5% respectively for 15% fiber volume fraction; while 16% and 13% for 25% fiber volume fraction respectively. Increasing amount of plasticizer increases moisture resistance. The result indicate that Enset-PLA composite have competitive properties and stability when exposed to moisture.

Keywords

hydrophilic; PLA; plasticize; fiber concentration

Subject

Chemistry and Materials Science, Ceramics and Composites

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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