Mechanical performance of in-situ coated fumed silica in hybrid composite partition sheets

Abstract

This paper involves the utilization of waste fishing nets as one of the reinforcements in the manufacturing of fumed silica coated composite partition sheets. Hybrid Fishing Net Reinforced Plastic (HFNRP) composite sheets developed by sandwiching various layers of used fishing net between the two glass fiber layers and in-situ coated with the AEROSIL®200 nano powder, were tested for mechanical properties. Appreciable values for mechanical properties were seen for all the HFNRP sheets; more pronounced when the number of fishing net layers was increased. On the contrary, the light transmission through the sheets decreases. The nylon content of the fishing nets in the sheets increased the linear thermal expansion with highest value of 2.01 inches/100 feet (0.168%). Moreover, water absorbing properties of the coated HFNRP sheets revealed to be moisture resistant due to the coating of polyester/nano powder resin mixture. Thermogravimetric Analysis and Differential Thermal Analysis revealed the mass change and phase change for the various manufactured specimens. The wear analysis with the pin on disk experiment revealed the wear resistance through the allied action of the flexible fishing net nylon and the friction resistant nano coating over the specimens. These, low cost and less weight composite sheets were successfully developed and implemented as the partition sheets for affordable buildings and fishing nets were efficiently reused.