Abstract
The aim of the present work is to develop novel hybrid composites using areca, kenaf, and snake grass fibers as reinforcement and epoxy as the matrix. The areca, kenaf, and snake grass fibers were extracted from Catechu Linnaeus, Hibiscus cannabinus, and Sansevieria Ehrenbergii plants, respectively, and treated with 5% NaOH to improve the interfacial adhesion between the hydrophilic fiber and the hydrophobic matrix. Hybrid composites were developed by the compression molding technique and formulated based on the weight fraction of fibers. Tensile, flexural, and impact strength and hardness samples were prepared as per ASTM D 3039, ASTM D 790, ASTM D 256, and ASTM D 2240, respectively. The effects of alkaline treatment on developed hybrid composites were investigated. The developed hybrid composites with 20% wt. snake grass and 10% wt. areca fiber present interesting mechanical properties with a tensile strength of 58 MPa, flexural strength of 124 MPa, impact strength of 5.24 kJ/m2, and hardness of 88. The results indicate that maximum mechanical properties were obtained for alkaline-treated fiber composites with 20% wt. snake grass fiber compared to untreated fiber composites owing to better adhesion between the treated fiber and the matrix. The effect of alkaline treatment was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared. The fractured surfaces of tested samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy.
Highlights
E aim of the present work is to develop novel hybrid composites using areca, kenaf, and snake grass fibers as reinforcement and epoxy as the matrix. e areca, kenaf, and snake grass fibers were extracted from Catechu Linnaeus, Hibiscus cannabinus, and Sansevieria Ehrenbergii plants, respectively, and treated with 5% NaOH to improve the interfacial adhesion between the hydrophilic fiber and the hydrophobic matrix
Karsli and Aytac et al [17] studied the tensile properties of flax fibers-reinforced PLA polycarbonate composites as function of 5% NaOH alkaline treatment for 20 min. e authors observed that 5% NaOH-treated flax fibers-reinforced PLA polycarbonate composites increases the flexural strength and flexural modulus by 9.1% and 62.5%, respectively, compared to untreated fiber composites. e maximum tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of the chopped snake grass fiber-reinforced polyester composite are achieved at 25% volume fraction for 30 mm of fiber length
When the fibers propagate through these cracks, it leads to a decrease in tensile strength. e tensile strength of specimen A is much lower than specimen D. is is due to the reason that the 20% wt. snake grass fiber in specimen A bonded strongly with the epoxy matrix, thereby enhancing the tensile properties and interfacial shear strength, whereas specimen A has 25% wt. of areca fiber which does not properly interact with the matrix when compared to other composites
Summary
E aim of the present work is to develop novel hybrid composites using areca, kenaf, and snake grass fibers as reinforcement and epoxy as the matrix. E tensile, flexural, impact, and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of 5% NaOH-treated kenaf and tea leaf fibers-reinforced composites were improved by 33.32%, 25%, 20.48%, and 35.16%, respectively, when compared with untreated composites due to removal of hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, and waxy elements which resulted in better interactions between hydrophilic fiber and hydrophobic matrix [20]. E experimental work emphasizes the importance of alkali treatment on the mechanical properties of snake grass, areca, and kenaf fiber-reinforced hybridized epoxy composites. E fiber surface becomes rough and the diameter of the fiber decreases, increasing aspect ratio and mechanical properties [28] It breaks the hydrogen bond in the cellulose fibers and increases the number of reaction sites, which promotes better interfacial shear strength and stress transfer. Property Density (g/cm3) Elastic modulus (GPa) Tensile strength (MPa) Compressive strength (MPa) Elongation (%) Cure shrinkage (%) Water absorption (%) Impact strength (J/m)
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