Dynamic mechanical analysis and thermal analysis of untreated Coccinia indica fiber composites

Abstract

A natural fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites (FRCs) was prepared by the compression molding method. The natural fiber named Coccinia indica (CI) was employed to fabricate FRCs. The impact of fiber length on storage modulus, loss modulus and loss of weight in the FRCs were determined using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results revealed that a fiber length of 40 mm shows better storage modulus and nominal loss modulus owing to the higher interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix. In other investigated fiber lengths, the storage modulus is poor and loss modulus is high, which is due to inefficient stress transfer.