Comparative mechanical, thermal, and morphological study of untreated and NaOH-treated bagasse fiber-reinforced cardanol green composites

Abstract

In recent years, natural fibers are replaced by synthetic fibers as reinforcing agents to fabricate biocomposites. The present study is aimed to blend an abundantly available natural fiber with biopolymer to fabricate green biocomposite material. Four sets of cardanol-based biocomposites were prepared by incorporating bagasse fibers cut length 10 mm (chemically treated and untreated) and 20 mm (chemically treated and untreated) with biopolymer. These cut fibers were blended in various wt% (viz., 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) with cardanol. The tensile strength and impact test were performed to study the mechanical properties of the developed composites. The morphological study in tensile fractured specimens was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition to this, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) tests were also carried out. The result proved that the morphologies of the composites have an improved bonding between the fiber and resin, leading to enhanced mechanical properties. Among the four sets, 15 wt% of 20 mm NaOH-treated fiber length composite has better mechanical properties like higher tensile strength, impact strength, and thermal stability than other wt% composites. SEM photograph also supports for the same biocomposite.