Investigating the Reduction of Fogging Behavior of Natural Fiber-Filled Polymers
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Abstract
Synthetic fibers such as glass and carbon are used as reinforcement in polymer composites due to their high strength and modulus. However, synthetic fibers are non-biodegradable and contribute to high costs. In literature, various natural fibers, including banana and sisal fiber, as reinforcement in a polymer matrix, are investigated for mechanical and thermal properties to overcome this challenge. Nevertheless, natural fibers bring their issues such as degradation and emissions of Volatiles Organic Compounds (VOCs), resulting in the fogging phenomena when exposed to heating-cooling cycles. In this study, effectiveness of addition of porous fillers in reducing VOCs emissions in biocomposites reinforced with natural fibers is investigated. Mechanical testing exhibited that adding the porous filler into the biocomposites did not hinder mechanical properties. It is hypothesized that adding the porous filler in the biocomposites could reduce the VOCs emission due to the pore structures absorbing the VOCs.