Renewable Okra Bast Fiber Reinforced Phenol Formaldehyde Resin Composites: Mechanical and Thermal Studies

Abstract

Okra bast fiber (OBF) reinforced thermoset phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin composites were prepared by compression molding methods. In order to found better wetting of filler and matrix, OBF was treated with NaOH. The properties of composites were studied by mechanical tests, thermal methods and water uptake. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength (TS), Young’s modulus (YM), tensile elongation, flexural strength (FS) and flexural modulus of composites were varied with NaOH concentration, treatment time and fiber loading. TS and FS were found to increase for fiber loading upto 30% and then decreased whereas YM, FM and tensile elongation were increased with increase of weight fraction. About 21% more TS and 85% more FS was found for 10% alkali treated fiber composite than untreated fiber composite. Treated fiber composites also showed greater thermal stability and lower water absorption property