Weathering-Exposure Impact on Thermal Stability and Fire Resistance of GFRP Composites with Pumice-Based Nanosilica Filler
Received: 22 April 2025 | Revised: 21 May 2025 | Accepted: 1 June 2025 | Online: 9 June 2025
Corresponding author: Kuncoro Diharjo
Abstract
This study examined the impact of 0, 30, 60, and 90 days of weathering exposure on the thermal and fire performance of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites filled with Nano-Silica (NS). Characterization was carried out through visual observation, macro photography, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Ignition Time (IT), and Burning Rate (BR), following the ASTM standards. The results demonstrated a progressive degradation due to weathering, evidenced by the reduced initial decomposition temperatures, lower exothermic peak intensity, surface cracking, and delamination. Specifically, a noticeable color shift from yellowish to dark brown indicated surface oxidation. TGA revealed a decline in thermal stability, with the final residue dropping to about 45% after 90 days, while the DSC results showed a decrease in transition temperatures and exothermic response. The IT gradually decreased from 66 s (unexposed) to a minimum of 39 s after 90 days of weathering, while the BR increased from 0.237 mm/s to 0.33 mm/s over the same period. Nevertheless, NS continued to provide partial protection, despite the reduction in its effectiveness, remaining an effective material in improving thermal stability and fire resistance.
Keywords:
weathering, GFRP composites, nano-silica , thermal stability, fire resistanceDownloads
References
S. Siengchin, "A review on lightweight materials for defence applications: Present and future developments," Defence Technology, vol. 24, pp. 1–17, Jun. 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dt.2023.02.025
S. M. Seraji, P. Song, R. J. Varley, S. Bourbigot, D. Voice, and H. Wang, "Fire-retardant unsaturated polyester thermosets: The state-of-the-art, challenges and opportunities," Chemical Engineering Journal, vol. 430, Feb. 2022, Art. no. 132785. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2021.132785
T. Wibawa et al., "Enhancing the Mechanical and Fire-Resistant Properties of GFRP Composite using Boric Acid and Sodium Silicate Fillers," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 18911–18922, Dec. 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.9271
C. Wang, J. Wei, B. Xia, X. Chen, and B. He, "Effect of nano-silica on the mechanical, thermal, and crystalline properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/nano-silica films," Journal of Applied Polymer Science, vol. 128, no. 3, pp. 1652–1658, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/app.38277
L. Ahmed et al., "Fire reaction properties of polystyrene-based nanocomposites using nanosilica and nanoclay as additives in cone calorimeter test," Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, vol. 132, no. 3, pp. 1853–1865, Jun. 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-018-7127-9
P. Mingzhu, L. Hailan, and M. Changtong, "Flammability of nano silicon dioxide–wood fiber–polyethylene composites," Journal of Composite Materials, vol. 47, no. 12, pp. 1471–1477, Jun. 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0021998312448499
Y. Qian, S. Zhou, and X. Chen, "Synergistic flame retardant effect between nano-silicon dioxide and layered double hydroxides in ethylene vinyl acetate composites," Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, vol. 31, no. 10, pp. 1295–1309, Oct. 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0892705717738287
A. J. Farhan, "Characterization the thermal degradation E kinetic of unsaturated polyester and polyester/silica nanoparticles composites by TGA and DSC Analysis," Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 10–20, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37934/arfmts.71.1.1020
Y. Wang et al., "Synergistic Effect of Nano-Silica and Intumescent Flame Retardant on the Fire Reaction Properties of Polypropylene Composites," Materials, vol. 16, no. 13, Jan. 2023, Art. no. 4759. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16134759
A. Rakhman, K. Diharjo, W. W. Raharjo, V. Suryanti, and S. Kaleg, "Improvement of Fire Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) Composite Prepared from Combination of Active Nano Filler of Modified Pumice and Commercial Active Fillers," Polymers, vol. 15, no. 1, Jan. 2023, Art. no. 51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15010051
K. E. Barış and L. Tanaçan, "Earth of Datça: Development of pozzolanic activity with steam curing," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 139, pp. 212–220, May 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.02.069
L. E. P. Real, Weathering of Polymers and Plastic Materials. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023.
M. Brebu, "Environmental Degradation of Plastic Composites with Natural Fillers—A Review," Polymers, vol. 12, no. 1, Jan. 2020, Art. no. 166. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12010166
U. R. Hashim, A. Jumahat, M. Jawaid, R. Dungani, and S. Alamery, "Effects of Accelerated Weathering on Degradation Behavior of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites," Polymers, vol. 12, no. 11, Nov. 2020, Art. no. 2621. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12112621
G. Peng, Q. Li, Y. Yang, and H. Wang, "Degradation of nano ZnO-glass fiber-unsaturated polyester composites," Journal of Applied Polymer Science, vol. 114, no. 4, pp. 2128–2133, 2009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/app.29988
X. Jin, X. Fan, C. Lu, and T. Wang, "Advances in oxidation and ablation resistance of high and ultra-high temperature ceramics modified or coated carbon/carbon composites," Journal of the European Ceramic Society, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 1–28, Jan. 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2017.08.013
M. Mohammed et al., "Influence of weathering effect in natural environment on thermal properties hybrid kenaf blast/glass fibre and unsaturated polyester composite," in International Conference on Applications and Design in Mechanical Engineering (ICADME 2017), Penang, Malaysia, Aug. 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/908/1/012004
S. Durmaz, O. Ozgenc Keles, U. Aras, E. Avci, and I. Atar, "Improvement of weathering and thermal resistance of wood-plastic composites with iron oxide nanoparticles," Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 1050–1066, Mar. 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/08927057231191460
S. M. El-mesallamy, E. S. Ali, and M. M. Badr, "Improving Unsaturated Polyester Based Nanocomposites to Resistance Environmental Changes," Journal of Basic and Environmental Sciences, vol. 8, pp. 144–150, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/jbes.2021.372048
P. Malanowski et al., "Molecular mechanism of photolysis and photooxidation of poly(neopentyl isophthalate)," Polymer, vol. 50, no. 6, pp. 1358–1368, Mar. 2009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2009.01.002
V. F. Sihombing, L. Hakim, and R. Batubara, "Weather Effect on Discoloration of Fiber Plastic Composite Made of Corrugated Paper and Polyethylene with the Addition of Maleic Anhydride and Benzoyl Peroxide," Peronema Forestry Science Journal, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 38–42.
M. T. Nazir and B. T. Phung, "Accelerated ultraviolet weathering investigation on micro-/nano-SiO2 filled silicone rubber composites," High Voltage, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 295–302, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1049/hve.2018.5004
D. C. R. S. de Oliveira, L. R. de Menezes, A. Gatti, L. Correr Sobrinho, J. L. Ferracane, and M. A. C. Sinhoreti, "Effect of Nanofiller Loading on Cure Efficiency and Potential Color Change of Model Composites," Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 171–177, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jerd.12189
Y. Wu, L. Xun, S. Huang, C. Ren, B. Sun, and B. Gu, "Crack spatial distributions and dynamic thermomechanical properties of 3D braided composites during thermal oxygen ageing," Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, vol. 144, May 2021, Art. no. 106355. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2021.106355
H. Conrad, "Mechanical Behavior of Samhire," Journal of the American Ceramic Society, vol. 48, no. 4, pp. 195–201, Apr. 1965. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.1965.tb14711.x
S. Nezafatkhah, "Natural Weathering of Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics and Degradation of their Properties: An Exploratory Multivariate Analysis," M.S. Thesis, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, CA, USA, 2019.
D. Ariawan, M. S. Salim, R. Mat Taib, M. Z. Ahmad Thirmizir, and Z. A. Mohammad Ishak, "Durability of alkali and heat-treated kenaf fiber/unsaturated polyester composite fabricated by resin transfer molding under natural weathering exposure," Advances in Polymer Technology, vol. 37, no. 5, pp. 1420–1434, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adv.21801
N. Billingham, B. Knight, P. Garside, and D. Mills, "Polymers and Their Degradation," in Conservation of Books, 1st ed., Oxfordshire, UK: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003162674-15
A. Witkowski, A. A. Stec, and T. R. Hull, "Thermal Decomposition of Polymeric Materials," in SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, M. J. Hurley, D. Gottuk, J. R. Hall, K. Harada, E. Kuligowski, M. Puchovsky, J. Torero, J. M. Watts, and C. Wieczorek, Eds. New York, NY, USA: Springer, 2016, pp. 167–254.
D. He, H. Susanto, and M. Ulbricht, "Photo-irradiation for preparation, modification and stimulation of polymeric membranes," Progress in Polymer Science, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 62–98, Jan. 2009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2008.08.004
N. Tian and A. Zhou, "An ignition criterion for combustible solids integrating surface temperature and heating rate," Fire and Materials, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 139–152, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/fam.2237
A. Castrovinci and G. Camino, "Fire-Retardant Mechanisms in Polymer Nano-Composite Materials," in Multifunctional Barriers for Flexible Structure: Textile, Leather and Paper, S. Duquesne, C. Magniez, and G. Camino, Eds. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, 2007, pp. 87–108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-71920-5_5
M. M. Khotbehsara, A. Manalo, T. Aravinthan, J. Turner, W. Ferdous, and G. Hota, "Effects of ultraviolet solar radiation on the properties of particulate-filled epoxy based polymer coating," Polymer Degradation and Stability, vol. 181, Nov. 2020, Art. no. 109352. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2020.109352
T. Nguyen et al., "Characterization of surface accumulation and release of nanosilica during irradiation of polymer nanocomposites by ultraviolet light," Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, vol. 12, no. 8, pp. 6202–6215, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1166/jnn.2012.6442
S. Kowshik, Shettar ,Manjunath, Rangaswamy ,Nikhil, Chate ,Ganesh, and P. and Somdee, "Effect of nanoclay on mechanical, flammability, and water absorption properties of glass fiber-epoxy composite," Cogent Engineering, vol. 9, no. 1, May 2022, Art. no. 2069070. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2022.2069070
Downloads
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Fathony Nada Saputro, Kuncoro Diharjo, Wijang Wisnu Raharjo, Venty Suryanti, Cahyo Hadi Wibowo, Diego Omar Danendra, Mohd Zulkefli Bin Selamat, Abdul Hapid
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain the copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) after its publication in ETASR with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
