Abstract
Glass-PA (EC-G-PA), Jute-PA (EC-J-PA), Glass-Jute-Glass (EC-GJG-PA), Jute-Glass-Jute (EC-JGJ-PA) composites of epoxy resin of bisphenol-C (EBC) have been prepared using a hand lay-up technique at 150°C under 27.58 MPa pressure for 6 h by using phthalic anhydride as a curing agent. EC-G-PA, EC-J-PA EC-GJG-PA and EC-JGJ-PA Possess 34, 41, 27 and 21 MPa tensile strength; 34, 27, 19 and 22 MPa flexural strength; 1.9, 1.0, 1.6 and 1.3 kV/mm electric strength and 4.2 × 1013, 1.2 × 109, 8.7 × 1011 and 4.0 × 1011 ohm.cm volume resistivity. Hydrolytic stability of the composites was tested against water, 10% aq. HCl and NaCl solutions at 35°C and also in boiling water. The percent water uptake, equilibrium time and diffusivity of the composites have been determined and discussed their possible applications.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are thankful to Directors, Crest Composites, Ahemdabad and ERDA Vadodara for testing of the composites; UGC-New Delhi for major research project grant.