Investigation on mechanical properties of polyurethane hybrid nanocomposite foams reinforced with roselle fibers and silica nanoparticles. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soundhar, A.; Rajesh, M.; Jayakrishna, K.; Sultan, M. T. H.; Shah, A. U. M.
• Is Part Of: Nanocomposites. Volume 5:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 12
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Polyurethane foam -- Roselle fiber -- hybrid nanocomposites -- silica -- response surface method -- mathematical model; Nanocomposites (Materials) -- Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1080/20550324.2018.1562614
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-0324

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this research work is to determine the mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of spherical silica (silica-A), amorphous silica (silica-B) and Roselle fiber (RF) reinforced polyurethane (PU) hybrid nanocomposites. The PU nanocomposites were fabricated with different weight percentages, 0.50 to 1 wt% for silica-A and silica-B, while 1–2 wt% for RF. These experiments were systematically designed and analyzed by response surface methodology in a central composite design approach. As per the design of the experiments, the hybrid PU nanocomposites were prepared by using a one shot process. The mathematical models developed to predict the results obtained were in good coherence with the experimental results, and were within 95% confidence levels for tensile and flexural strength. The optimum weight percentage of Roselle, silica-A and silica-B were 2, 0.78 and 1%, respectively. The optimized environmentally friendly hybrid nanocomposite demonstrated exceptional mechanical and thermal properties. Graphical Abstract: