Abstract
Natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composites can be a better replacement for plastic composites since these plastic composites pose a serious threat to the environment. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of surface modification of the natural fibers on the mechanical, thermal, hygrothermal, and water absorption behaviors of flax, sisal, and glass fiber-reinforced epoxy hybrid composites. The mechanical properties of alkaline treated sisal and flax fibers were found to increase considerably.Tensile, flexural and impact strength of glass/flax-fiber-reinforced hybrid samples improved by 58%, 36%, and 51%, respectively, after surface alkaline treatment. In addition, the hygrothermal analysis and water absorption capacity are studied and also the Interfacial bonding properties were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopic images. The thermal analysis using thermogravimetric analyzer reveals that the decomposition temperature for hybrid fiber reinforced composites are between 306 and 312℃. In conclusion,surface treatment improves the performance of natural fiber in hybrid fiber-reinforced composites, particularly flax fiber.
Highlights
Researchers are showing increased interest in the use of biodegradable materials in the structural applications [1,2]
The thermogravimetric analysis shows that the decomposition temperatures of hybrid composite laminates fall in the range of 306-315oC irrespective of its surface treatment
The hygrothermal analysis comparison of the weights of samples before and after test shows that there is not much variation in weights, and the deterioration in tensile strength is little greater in the sisal hybrid fiber composite by 12 N/mm2, whereas in the other samples, it is less in the range of 1-5 N/mm2
Summary
Researchers are showing increased interest in the use of biodegradable materials in the structural applications [1,2]. The researchers are showing interest in reinforcing cellulose fiber in plastics. [3] Proved that the banana/sisal hybrid fiber-reinforced polyester composites result in a positive effect on tensile and flexural properties. [7] Showed that the sisal/Glass fiber composite has better tensile strength. Research in [10] showed increases in the mechanical properties of composites like tensile, flexural, and impact strength as a result of surface modification of coir fiber. [11] Found out decrease in the percentage of hemicelluloses, lignin, and increase in cellulose content, major portion of natural fiber which provides strength and influences the mechanical properties after alkali treatment. The treated and untreated fiber-reinforced laminates are compared for their tensile, flexural, and impact strength and interfacial adhesion with the matrix using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
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