Resistance of CNF Modified Glass Fiber/Epoxy Composites
Towards Various Corrosive Fluids

Abstract

Fiber reinforced composites (FRP) are increasingly being used in many applications as they owing superior properties like high specific strength, high stiffness, low density. However these composites suffer from poor out of plane properties in some applications. A Nano filler addition is a possible way to address those problems. FRP composites are used in various marine as well as chemical industries, where there is a long-term direct contact of the component with corrosive fluids. In this present, work the effects of CNF incorporation in glass fibres/epoxy composite towards various corrosive fluids are studied by aging the composite of different composition (0.1wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 1 wt.% ) in acidic, alkaline and sea water which are having pH of 1,13 and 8.2 respectively for 5 months. The resistance towards the corrosive fluids of CNF filled glass fiber epoxy composite will be evaluated in terms of mechanical (flexural), thermal (Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)), thermo-mechanical (differential mechanical analysis (DMA)) and factography analysis by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope(FESEM). It is revealed that as the immersion time increases there is decrement in flexural strength, modulus, and glass transition temperature (Tg) in all 3 solution aging irrespective to the composition. This was mainly the result of polymer hydrolysis. Compare to the CNF filled frp composite, glass/epoxy fiber composite shows more degradation in the case of alkaline aging, seawater aging. Maximum reduction in the strength of glass/epoxy fiber composite is 48% by the alkaline aging for 4monthsas alkaline being more corrosive in nature.
But reverse phenomenon is observed in case acidic aging. Glass/epoxy fiber composite shows better resistance to acidic aging than CNF filled frp composite. Because presence of CNF’s in acidic environment causes oxidation of CNF thatleads in drop in mechanical properties. Fractography revealed the various modes of failure that causes to the degradation of matrix.