Alkali Treatment Effect: Mechanical, Thermal, Morphological, and Spectroscopy Studies on Abutilon Indicum Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Abstract

ABSTRACT Applicability of natural fiber-reinforced composites in automobile, aerospace like sectors has been increasing as more number of research works is concentrating on natural fibers owing to their eco-friendly nature. Biodegradability of natural fibers is main advantage of them over artificial fibers. Natural fiber-reinforced composite possesses good thermal and mechanical properties besides other requirements. For this reason, investigation of one such natural fiber-reinforced composites has been the focus of the present study. In the present work, composites made up of abutilon indicum fiber reinforced with epoxy have been prepared. Mechanical, morphological, thermal, and spectroscopic studies on the test specimens prepared using the above composites were carried out to evaluate their respective strengths. Also, the effect of alkali treatment (NaOH) for the fibers was studied and evaluated. Scanning electron microscope results indicated that the composite made up of alkali-treated fibers possessed better mechanical properties. Using differential thermal analysis–thermogravimetric analysis apparatus thermal behavior of the composites and using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies, the presence of function groups like C–O, C–H was determined. Thus, characterization of abutilon indicum fiber-reinforced epoxy composites has been carried and properties are evaluated for their applicability to automotive, aerospace similar industries.