Influence of red mud particles on thermo-mechanical behaviour of areca fiber reinforced polymer composites

Abstract

This research article focused to analysis the thermo-mechanical behaviour of natural fibre reinforced with nano particle. In general the parametric analysis of natural fibres reinforced with various concentrations of nano fillers or particles are having increased their research count in more numbers. Nano fillers are becoming an attractive one to present era researchers because it has much more inherent properties, to prove that natural fibres are basically low cost, better mechanical properties, non-abrasive, eco-friendly and bio-degradability characteristics. This research work mainly showcases to evaluate the thermo-mechanical behaviour of nano filler reinforced natural fiber composites. The green areca fibres were treated chemically to remove unwanted pectin, wax and other substance from fiber surfaces for improving binding ability between reinforcements and matrix. The alkaline solution of NaOH was used to modify the fiber surface, the fiber characterization was done for 2% of NaOH solution concentration about 24hrs. In that the composite plates are comprises of treated areca fiber as reinforcement, red mud as a nano fillers or particles and polyester resin act as a matrix. The various fabricated specimens are matrix alone, fiber with matrix, fiber with particulate and matrix, particulate with matrix. The fabricated composites have sized based on the ASTM 695 standard to perform various compressive analysis. Also the thermal stability of areca fiber, polyester resin and red mud filled composites were analysed to ensure the thermal performance of red mud filled areca fiber composites. In addition to this the influence of red mud particle on areca fiber composite was evident by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis. Finally the improved compressive properties were attained about 15% of fiber, 15% of red mud nano filler and 70% of resin. Also from this experimental result thermal stability of red mud filled areca fiber composite’s increased gradually with increasing of red mud weight percentage in composites.