Abstract
The durability of biocomposites utilized for building components has been a subject of recent concern and questioning. To address these concerns, the long-term effects of weathering on biocomposites used as building components were evaluated using an accelerated weatherometer. The biocomposite samples were processed by sheet molding compounding (SMC) panel processing and/or compression molding. The accelerated weatherometer served to expose the samples to ultraviolet radiation (UV), condensation, and water spray at levels pertinent to actual conditions: 48 cycles of UV (340 nm) treatment at 60 °C for 2.5 h was followed by water spray for 0.5 h, and then condensation at 45 °C for 24 h. Twelve cycles were repeated in each test, and the total duration for the complete test was 2016 h. Measurements for color, surface roughness test weight change, and dynamical mechanical analysis were taken at regular intervals of time. It was found that the surface roughness increased, as the color changed, and storage modulus decreased with increases in the exposure time of the samples to accelerated weathering conditions, compared to their properties at the beginning of the test.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gassan J, Bledzki AK (2001) J Appl Polym Sci 82:1417
Gassan J (2002) Composites: Part A 33:369
Mishra S, Mohanty AK, Drzal LT, Misra M, Parija S, Nayak SK, Tripathy SS (2003) Composites Sci Technol 63:1377
Rout J, Misra M, Tripathy SS, Nayak SK, Mohanty AK (2002) J Appl Polym Sci 84:75
Bismarck A, Mohanty AK, Aranberri-Askargorta I, Czapla S, Misra M, Hinrichsen G (2001) J Springer Green Chem 3:100
Rout J, Misra M, Tripathy SS, Nayak SK, Mohanty AK (2001) Composites Sci Technol 61:1303
Sydenstricker THD, Mochnaz S, Amico SC (2003) Polym Test 22:375
Khalil HPSA, Ismail H, Ahmad MN, Ariffin A, Hassan K (2001) Polym Int 50:395
Gassan J, Bledzki AK (1999) Polym Composites 20(4):604
Matuana LM, Kamdem DP, Zhang J (2001) J Appl Polym Sci 80(11):1943
Kalnins MA, Feist WC (1993) For Prod J 43(5):55
Feist WC (1994) For Prod J 44(6):15
Matuana LM, Kamdem DP (2000) 5th Pacific Rim bio-based composites proceedings, 10–14 December 2000, 644
Podgorski L, Arnold M, Hora G (2003) Coatings World, February 2003, 39
Chow P, Bajwa DS (1998) American Wood-Preserves Association Proceedings, American Wood Preserves Association, Scottsdale, Arizona, 17–20 May 1998, 94:257–266
Nzokou P, Kamdem DP (2002) J Top For Prod 8(2):200
Feist WC (1990) For Prod J 40(7/8):21
Stark N, Matuana LM (2002) Proceedings of society of plastics engineers annual technical conference ANTEC 2002. 2209
Gassan J, Bledzki AK (2001) J Appl Polym Sci 82:1417
Mehta G, Mohanty AK, Thayer K, Misra M, Drzal LT (2005) J Polym Environ 13(2):169
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to NSF-PATH (2001 Award No.0122108) for kindly supporting this project. Collaboration and samples from Kemlite Inc., Joliet, IL and FlaxCraft Inc., Cresskill, NJ are highly appreciated. Authors are thankful to Dr. Pascal Nzokou and Dr. Weining Cui for helping in the set up of the weathering experiments.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mehta, G., Mohanty, A.K., Drzal, L.T. et al. Effect of Accelerated Weathering on Biocomposites Processed by SMC and Compression Molding. J Polym Environ 14, 359–368 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-006-0029-0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-006-0029-0