Environmental Aging Effect on Tensile Properties of GFRP Made of Furfuryl Alcohol Bioresin Compared to Epoxy
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 18, Issue 5
Abstract
Biocomposites are emerging as a possible sustainable alternative in structural applications, and as a result, a major focus should be on their durability. This study focuses on the environmental aging of bioresin glass fiber–reinforced polymer (GFRP) through immersion in saltwater at elevated temperatures. The resin is furfuryl alcohol based, derived from renewable resources, such as corncobs and sugarcanes. Deterioration was quantified by tensile testing of unidirectional bioresin GFRP coupons at various stages of exposure, and compared to conventional epoxy GFRP coupons under the same conditions. A total of 150 specimens were exposed to three different environments, namely 23°, 40°, and 55°C water with 3% salt concentration, for up to 300 days. It was found that the bioresin GFRP retained 80, 44, and 39% of its original strength at the three temperatures, respectively. On the other hand, the epoxy GFRP exhibited 86, 72, and 61% strength retentions, respectively. No reductions occurred to the Young’s moduli. The Arrhenius model was applied, assuming environments with mean annual temperatures of 3°, 10°, and 20°C, representing different regions in North America. It was estimated that bioresin GFRP strength retentions after 100 years, at the three mean temperatures, are 65, 61, and 50%, respectively.
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Acknowledgments
The writers wish to acknowledge the financial support provided by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). The in-kind contribution from Fyfe Co. Llc towards this project is much appreciated. The assistance of Kenneth Mak in DSC and postcuring tests is also much appreciated.
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Published In
Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 18 • Issue 5 • October 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 8, 2013
Accepted: Dec 26, 2013
Published online: Feb 24, 2014
Discussion open until: Jul 24, 2014
Published in print: Oct 1, 2014
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