Effect of silane coupling grafted polyethylene terephthalate foam and areca fruit fiber reinforced chitin modified vinyl ester prosthetic composite on thermal and water accelerated aging conditions

Abstract

AbstractThe primary aim of this research work was to develop a lightweight vinyl ester based prosthetic composite with silane treated Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam and areca fiber and how the silane surface treatment process influence the laminar adhesion against to accelerated aging conditions. Both the foam (3 mm) and fiber is silane‐treated via aqueous solution method and the composites were subjected to accelerate aging via temperature (40 and 50°C) as well as sea and rain water. The developed composites were evaluated based on American society of testing of materials (ASTM) standards and the results revealed a consistent stability in tensile strength for post‐silane treated composites on both aging conditions. Particularly, the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) test emphasized that the silane treated reinforcements has high resistance against delamination. Similarly, flammability test demonstrated sustained fire‐resistant properties in both horizontal and vertical orientations, with negligible variations in flame propagation speed. Thermal conductivity test revealed the intricate interplay of PET core and areca fiber on heat transfer. Thus, from results it is evident that the silane surface treatment helped to maintain the laminates adhere with matrix in spite of the accelerated aging conditions such as prolonged heat exposition as well as water immersion. These findings contribute valuable insights into the load bearing performance of the lightweight composite materials in human prosthetic applications where prolonged heat and water aging happened frequently.Highlights Lightweight polymer foam‐areca fiber prosthetic composites prepared and tested for accelerated weather conditions PET foam and areca fiber is silane surface treated using amino‐silane Treated foam and fiber maintained mechanical properties under aged condition Treated foam and fiber maintained flammability properties under aged condition Silane treated foam and fiber maintained good thermal conductivity under aged condition