An experimental investigation of the effect of natural fiber treatment and marine environment on Cannabis Sativa/epoxy laminates

K.N Chethan,N.H Padmaraj,Rajesh Kumar,Hegde Sharun

doi:10.5937/jaes0-30277

Abstract

Materials have helped in evolving technology to a great extent. Composites have replaced conventional metals/ non-metals because of their lightweight. Natural Fibers have been need of the hour owing to environmental concerns and ease of availability. In this work, Cannabis Sativa fibers were treated with 5% Potassium Hydroxide solution. The laminates were prepared by the Compression Moulding technique by reinforcing treated and untreated fibers with an epoxy matrix material. To access the durability of natural fiber composites in the marine environment, prepared laminates were aged in seawater for 150 days. Tensile, flexural and moisture absorption behavior tests have been performed to estimate the durability in seawater. The data obtained have been compared with pristine treated and untreated fiber reinforced samples. From the results, it has been observed that tensile and flexural behavior of untreated fiber reinforced composites were superior to a treated counterpart in both pristine and aged conditions.

Highlights

Composite contains two important components namely the fiber and matrix phase
Untreated fiber showed the presence of hydroxyl group in the wavelength between 3500-3000 cm-1
3000-2500 cm-1 indicates the C-H bond stretching for untreated hemp fibers

Summary

Introduction

Composite contains two important components namely the fiber and matrix phase. The property of the matrix is that it is consistent, holds the fiber intact and provides shape to the structures [1]. Fiber and matrix can distinguished one from the other in composite material but together they exhibit properties that cannot be attained by individual material [2]. Natural fibers are usually obtained from either plants or animals[3],[4]. They can be recycled and environmentally friendly [5], [6]. Some of the most common techniques to extract fibers from plants is by decortication and retting. The woody part of stem undergoes biological treatment which results in the fibers falling apart whereas in decortication a machine called decorticator pulls out the fibers from the leaf or stem [8,9,10]

Methods

Results

Conclusion