Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
with molecular weight of 600 and commercial grade unsaturated polyester
(UP) type isophtalic with molecular weight of 2000 were used as impreg-
nation agents, supplied by Pultrution Innovative Sdn. Bhd., Seremban,
Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
5.2.2 Methods
5.2.2.1
Impregnation of the Fibers
h e sugar palm i bers were submerged in a 1000 mL beaker i lled with the
impregnation resin agents (PF and UP) and placed inside a glass vessel.
h e glass vessel was evacuated at various impregnation pressures: 1000,
900, 800, 700, 600, and 500 mmHg (133.32, 119.99, 106.66, 93.33, 79.99,
and 66.66 kPa) for 5 min before the vacuum vessel was slowly released
within 30 s. h e impregnated i bers were removed and excess resin was
then drained for 5 min before the i bers were heated for polymerization at
140
C for 30 min. h e i bers were weighed using an analytical balance with
the capability of reading up to 0.0001 g.
°
5.2.2.2
Determination of Physical Properties
h e determination of weight percentage gain, density, specii c gravity,
moisture content, and water absorption of the i bers were determined
using the following equations:
Weight percentage gain,
WPG (%) = (m
b
- m
a
) / m
a
x 100
(5.1)
where
m
a
= mass of i ber before impregnation (g),
m
b
= mass of i ber at er
impregnation (g).
Density, ρ (g/cm
3
) = m
o
/ V
g
(5.2)
where
m
o
= mass of oven dry i ber (g),
V
g
=
green volume of i ber (cm
3
).
Specii c gravity,
SG =
ρ
f
/
ρ
w
(5.3)
where ρ
f
= density of i bers (g/cm
3
); ρ
w
=
density of water (g/cm
3
).
Moisture content,
MC (%) = (m
a
- m
o
) / m
o
x 100
(5.4)
where
m
a
= mass of air dry i ber (g),
m
o
= mass of oven dry i ber (g).
Water absorption,
WA (%) = (m
2
- m
1
) / m
1
x 100
(5.5)
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