Properties of unsaturated polyester-coconut shell composite with titanium oxide addition

Abstract

Unsaturated polyester based composite is a strong composite. Adding natural fiber and inorganic filler into polyester produce a hybrid composite. The fiber and filler are added approximately 5wt% to 40wt% and 5wt% to 20wt% of composite total weight, respectively. Utilization of different filler content facilitate for future application of the composite. This study investigates the properties of UPE-CS composite using titanium oxide (TiO2) as filler by compression molding. Different concentration of coconut shell (CS) and TiO2 were used. The composite mixture were mixed and cold compressed with 200, 300, 400 and 500 MPa. The result showed UPE-CS-TiO2 composite density increased with increasing amount of TiO2 as a result of TiO2 particles dispersion in the composite. The composite with 40 wt% of CS fiber and high concentration of TiO2 (20wt%) has higher flexural and strength properties compared to that of other composites The composite with 20 wt% CS and 20wt% TiO2 exhibit higher thickness swelling, water uptake and moisture content reduction. Modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity was increased with compaction pressure while thickness swelling, water absorption and moisture content was decreased.