The study investigates the effects of boiling water soaking on the mechanical properties and durability of nanoclay-enhanced bamboo and glass fiber epoxy composites. By exploring how these composites perform under harsh environmental conditions, researchers aim to improve their durability and applicability.
Fiber-reinforced polymer composites have gained popularity across various industries due to their lightweight, rigidity, strength, and exceptional fatigue resistance. Among these, natural fibers, particularly bamboo, have emerged as cost-effective and environmentally friendly reinforcements. They reduce environmental impact compared to conventional composites since they are renewable and biodegradable.
This research, published on January 31, 2025, by S.M. Ahmad, M.C. Gowrishankar, and M. Shettar from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, focuses on the aging process of these composites when subjected to boiling water—a condition relevant for assessing their long-term performance.
Through the hand lay-up method, composites were fabricated using environmentally friendly materials: bamboo fiber, glass fiber, nanoclay, and epoxy resin. Following this, tensile and flexural tests, adhering to ASTM standards, were conducted. It was found drinking water conditions critically compromise the composites' performance.
The researchers report significant performance degradation. Boiling water-soaked epoxy samples exhibited reductions of up to 30% in tensile properties and 22% in flexural properties compared to their dry counterparts. Notably, the inclusion of nanoclay improved tensile and flexural properties by 5 to 7% and 10 to 12%, respectively, mitigating the damaging effects of water absorption.
This study marks significant progress toward optimizing the durability of fiber-reinforced composites. Understanding the deleterious effects caused by moisture and high temperatures informs engineers and material scientists focused on applications ranging from marine and automotive to construction sectors.
Based on their findings, the authors concluded, "The addition of nanoclay declines the water uptake (%), with reductions ranging from 1.44 to 2.21% under boiling water soaking process 1 and 1.51 to 2.32% under process 2."