Unsaturated polyester composite reinforced with Caroá fiber (Neoglaziovia Variegate): water sorption and mechanical properties

On the other hand, fibers have high water absorption, which may increase their volume and weaken the fiber/matrix interaction, affecting the mechanical features of the composites. Concerned with this problem, this research had the objective of making 3 and 10 millimeter-thick specimens, containing 23% (m/m) of Caroa fibers and 73% (m/m) of unsaturated polyester.

Samples were withdrawn after 0, 2, 4, 7, 12 and 21 days of exposure at room temperature water (ASTM D570 − 98). Then, the test of tensile (ASTM D 3039), flexural (ASTM D 790-03) and impact (ASTM D 256) was realized and the mechanical properties were analyzed. The samples subjected to humidity had their fibers degraded and presented loss of mechanical properties, more significant in composite with 3 mm.