Chemical Resistance and Tensile Properties of Unsaturated Polyester and Epoxy/PMMA Blend Coated Ceiba pentandra

The naturally occurring fabric belonging to the species Ceiba pentandra, which is commonly known as kapok, is abundantly available in India. The surface of alkali-treated and untreated kapok fabric was coated with unsaturated polyester, epoxy resin, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and epoxy/PMMA blend matrix. The chemical resistance of this fabric to different chemicals and tensile properties was studied. The effect of alkali-treatment (NaOH) on the tensile properties of the fabric was also studied. It was observed that the coated fabric specimens show better chemical resistance and tensile properties than uncoated ones. The tensile properties increased on alkali-treated fabric, which was identified from the results. Epoxy/PMMA coated fabric specimens have better chemical resistance and tensile properties compared to other matrix materials. These observations indicate that the Kapok fabric and the epoxy/PMMA blend are suitable materials for making eco-friendly composites.