Effect of Chemical Treatment on Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Sugarcane Bagasse Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composite

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study the mechanical and morphology of sugarcane bagasse (SGB) reinforced unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) composites by utilizing a different percentage of fibre contents and different chemical treatments on fibres. Sugarcane bagasse reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites have been prepared using the compression molding technique. To enhance better adhesion between fibre and matrix, the SGB was chemically treated with alkaline (NaOH) solution and silane solution for 2 hours. The characterization of mechanical properties such as tensile and flexural strength, and tensile and flexural modulus of SGB-UPR composites were studied and compared. The incorporation of the alkaline + silane treatment of SGB resulted in better tensile and flexural properties of composites than untreated or alkaline-only treated SGB composites. Overall, it can be seen that the 5 % of fibre treated with NaOH + silane treatment showed the best results for tensile and flexural properties. Surfaces of cracked composites were observed using SEM and treated SGB showed better interfacial adhesion with matrix rather than the untreated SGB. Chemical treatment plays an important in enhancing the interfacial adhesion of fibre and matrix in composites.