Composites from water hyacinth ( Eichhornea crassipe ) and polyester resin

Fibrous plants are available in abundance in nature and are a renewable resource. The development of high performance composites from a cheap natural fiber, such as water hyacinth ( Eichhornea crassipes ) is particularly beneficial from an economic point of view. Remarkable, thermosetting resins such as polyester are used widely as a composite matrix due to polyester resins present a good dimensional stability, thermal stability, and good mechanical properties. For this study, some composites from water hyacinth fiber and polyester resin were prepared by using solution impregnation and hot curing methods. The composites were prepared by varying fiber percentages (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%). These were characterized by FTIR and DSC analysis. Additionally, the elastic modules (MOE) from static test according to ASTM (D143-94) and by dynamic test from Sylvates Duo were obtained. Mechanical properties such as flexural strain and compression strength parallel of the different composites were analyzed. Thus, composites which had a concentration of water hyacinth in the range of 5 to 10 wt% yielded the best results. Additionally, the analysis showed no evidence of a negative effect on mechanical and thermal properties of the composite by addition of water hyacinth to the polyester resin. Furthermore, the results showed that water hyacinths fibres presented a competitive reinforcement quality when they were compared with other natural fibers, as such jute, abaca, and rice straw.