Abstract
In this study, sugarcane bagasse fiber reinforced polypropylene based composites were fabricated successfully and their tensile, bending and water uptake behavior were studied. The composites were prepared by compression molding process. The fiber composition in the composites was 30% by weight. Results revealed that due to reinforcement by fiber, composites achieved 51% increase in tensile strength, 151% in tensile modulus, 109% in bending strength and 68% in bending modulus over that of polypropylene. Elongation at break was reduced due to the lower elongation property of fiber. The composites were treated by alkali for checking out the effects of alkali on composites. The concentrations of alkali used for treating the composites were 3%, 5% and 7% solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and it was found that 7% solution of sodium hydroxide demonstrated lowest tensile and bending properties. Sheared composite samples were immersed into deionized water and it was noticed that composite samples were absorbed 2.10% water within 40 minutes of water absorption test. Soil degradation test was carried out for 16 weeks and it was observed that, the tensile and bending properties of sugarcane bagasse fiber reinforced polypropylene based composites were degraded slowly. The composites lost 35% of their original mechanical properties and retained 54% of actual weight after 16 weeks of degradation in soil medium.
Highlights
In recent years, research on natural fiber reinforced composite material has been increased in great extent because of its various favourable advantages including both environmental and cost effective aspects
The effects of soil on tensile and bending properties of sugarcane bagasse fiber reinforced polypropylene based composites were investigated for 16 weeks and their results are shown in figure 4 and 5
Fabricating composites by using sugarcane bagasse fiber can be a new source of materials
Summary
Research on natural fiber reinforced composite material has been increased in great extent because of its various favourable advantages including both environmental and cost effective aspects. The cost related to synthetic fiber reinforced polymer based composites is higher and they are not environmental friendly. The researchers take various factors in their concern while selecting fibers as raw material for composite fabrication such as physical and mechanical properties, cost, environmental aspects, toxicity, health hazards, flexibility, plant’s age, availability etc. Hemicellulos, lignin and pectin are the major composition of natural fiber It has been noticed in recent years that the researchers are giving more emphasis on effective utilization of residual agro industrial products. Using polypropylene for fabricating natural fiber synthetic polymer composites is one of the most promising routes in present era [22-28] In this present study, the tensile and bending properties of sugarcane bagasse fiber reinforced PP based composites were evaluated. The effects of alkali and soil on sugarcane bagasse fiber reinforced PP based composites were investigated
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