Coir pith/nylon/epoxy hybrid composites and their thermal properties: Thermogravimetric analysis, thermal ageing, and heat deflection temperature

Thermal stability of composites and their constituents becomes an important criterion during their processing and application in different fields. The present work deals with the thermal stability of coir pith/nylon/epoxy hybrid composites by studying the thermogram, heat deflection temperature, and accelerated ageing of these composites. The effect of chemical treatment of coir pith and hybridization on these properties is dealt in detail in the discussion. The composite samples were prepared by hand layup method followed and by compression molding. Coir pith was subjected to different types of chemical treatments—sodium hydroxide, dicumyl peroxide, acrylic acid, acetic acid, sodium hypochlorite, and sulfuric acid before processing. Thermogravimetric analysis of composite samples showed improved thermal stability with treatment of coir pith and hybridization with nylon fabric. The effect of temperature on the ageing of composites was studied after an accelerated ageing process followed by a comparison of retention in impact strength. The thermogram of the samples was found to complement the results obtained in accelerated ageing and heat deflection analysis. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:297–303, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers