Use Of Natural Fibers Research Articles

Compare the Properties of Composite Material by Date Leaves with Different Additives

Almost no product is made today without the use of composite materials, which have demonstrated their value over time in a variety of applications. Examples include household products, automobiles, oil and gas stations and spacecraft. Instead of using timber, leaves will be used to create a solid material. The goal of this study is to identify the distinguishing features of composite materials made from dates palm waste, as well as the overall effects on the properties when changing the mixture's proportions and the amount to which those materials are vulnerable to outside influences. It also aims to identify the best material that can be produced and used in home furnishings, manufacturing, architectural design, practical applications, and other science-related fields. This project will address the use of natural fibers from dates palm waste and some other materials to convert them into a strong, lightweight, low-cost composite material to replace wood, aluminum, synthetic fibers, and other materials in industries and uses. It will also explore the manufacturing processes, testing methods, and the outcomes of comparing it with other materials. The UHU (adhesive) matrix has the lowest hardness value compared to others. Structure tests show composites' internal composition; it plays an important role in understanding the properties of composites. The water absorption test demonstrates the duration required for composites to become saturated with water, with optimal results falling within the range of 13 to 24 hours for saturation.

A novel ultra-light bio-based fiberboard from mexican feather grass for thermal and acoustic insulation in green building construction applications

The use of natural fibers as raw materials for insulation fiberboard production is emerging as a strategy to replace wood fibers. This study developed an ultralightweight natural fiber insulation core fiberboard (CFB) with high mechanical strength, hygroscopic resistance, and excellent acoustic and thermal insulation properties. This study examined the production of CFB, which utilizes Mexican feather grass fibers with an epoxy resin binder across a range of densities of 0.18–0.36 g∙cm−3. Furthermore, the impact of incorporating a reinforcing skin layer of woven glass fibers on the core fiberboard's physical, mechanical, acoustic, and thermal properties was evaluated. All the fiberboard samples exhibited excellent thermal conductivity values (0.048–0.057 W/mK), which increased with increasing panel density (0.18–0.36 g∙cm−3). In addition, all of them displayed superior mechanical properties following the ASTM C208 standard. In terms of climatic resistance of the fiberboards, the results displayed excellent water resistance, exhibiting minimal humidity content (<5 %), thickness swelling (<6.5 %), and a hydrophobic surface, as indicated by the high-water contact angle (>121.96 at 30 s). Sound reduction exhibited a frequency-dependent tendency, with denser and sandwich fiberboards showing greater sound reduction of up to 27.9–36.56 dB at 3150 Hz for CFB-0.36 and SFB-0.52, respectively. Following ASTM C208, both core fiberboards and those coated with woven glass fiber skins (sandwich fiberboards, SFB) met the thermomechanical property requirements for regular and structural wall sheathing applications, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of Mexican feather grass as a bio-based alternative to wood, enabling the production of eco-friendly ultralightweight fiberboards with excellent thermomechanical properties suitable for building construction, such as regular and structural wall sheathing applications and ceiling decorations.

Exploring the effect of hemp fibers’ addition on the properties of PLA/PPAd biodegradable blends

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a compostable aliphatic polymer with enhanced strength and toughness, and it is a promising material for packaging products. Polymer blending is a financially feasible and easy way to upgrade its properties, such as its slow degradation and crystallization rates and its modest elongation, and thus, make it more adaptable. Furthermore, the use of natural fibers as fillers can reinforce the biobased character of the final composite materials and enhance their antioxidant activity values, a crucial property of polymers that are addressed for active packaging. Herein, the influence of the addition of hemp fibers (HF) on the features of poly(lactic acid)/poly(propylene adipate) blends containing 85/15 w/w PLA/PPAd, was investigated. The utilization of a poly(lactic acid)-co-poly(propylene adipate) block copolymer (cop) as a compatibilizer was also examined. The thermal, morphological and mechanical assets of the composite materials were evaluated with the implementation of multiple techniques. The addition of HF enhanced the hydrophobicity and biodegradation of the composites, render them as candidates for several applications. Furthermore, the introduction of the compatibilizer successfully increases the adhesion between the polymeric matrices and the HF, resulting in enhanced properties.

A Review of Natural Fibres and Biopolymer Composites: Progress, Limitations, and Enhancement Strategies.

The interest in natural fibres and biopolymers for developing bio-composites has greatly increased in recent years, motivated by the need to reduce the environmental impact of traditional synthetic, fossil fuel-derived materials. However, several limitations associated with the use of natural fibres and polymers should be addressed if they are to be seriously considered mainstream fibre reinforcements. These include poor compatibility of natural fibres with polymer matrices, variability, high moisture absorption, and flammability. Various surface treatments have been studied to tackle these drawbacks, such as alkalisation, silane treatment, acetylation, plasma treatment, and polydopamine coating. This review paper considers the classification, properties, and limitations of natural fibres and biopolymers in the context of bio-composite materials. An overview of recent advancements and enhancement strategies to overcome such limitations will also be discussed, with a focus on mechanical performance, moisture absorption behaviour, and flammability of composites. The limitations of natural fibres, biopolymers, and their bio-composites should be carefully addressed to enable the widespread use of bio-composites in various applications, including electronics, automotive, and construction.

Thermal Performance Of Termite Mold Bricks Reinforced With Empty Fruit Bunch Spikelet And Coconut Fibers

The use of natural fibers to enhance the thermal properties of earth bricks has become increasingly popular. This study investigates the thermal performance of termite mold soil (TMS) reinforced with two types of fibers: coconut fibers (CF) and empty fruit bunch spikelet fibers (EFBSF). Various fiber compositions (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5%) were combined with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatments at concentrations of 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%. Laboratory results reveal that TMS exhibits promising physical properties, including a moisture content of 23.64%, a maximum dry density of 1.63 g/cm³, and a plasticity index of 20%, indicating its structural stability and suitability for earth block production. The study also analyzes the chemical properties of EFBSF and CF fibers, noting that CF has a higher holocellulose content (88.0%) compared to EFBSF (33.5%), which impacts moisture retention and structural integrity. Thermal analysis demonstrates that incorporating these natural fibers significantly enhances the thermal performance of TMS. With a 2.5% fiber content, CF reduces thermal effusivity from 1771.43 J/m²Ks^1/2 to 1079.39 J/m²Ks^1/2 and thermal conductivity from 0.86 W/mK to 0.38 W/mK, making it particularly effective in improving insulation in hot conditions. EFBSF also lowers thermal effusivity and conductivity, but to a lesser extent than CF. Additionally, the presence of these fibers reduces volumetric calorific capacity, with CF showing a more pronounced effect. Overall, TMS reinforced with coconut fibers, especially at 1% NaOH and 2.5% fiber content, offers the best thermal performance, suggesting its potential for sustainable construction. This research promotes the use of locally sourced, natural fibers in earth block manufacturing, contributing to the development of more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly building materials.

Effect of benzoyl chloride treatment on morphological, thermal, mechanical, and hydrothermal aging properties of date palm/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composites

The use of natural fibers has seen a significant rise in the composites sector, resulting in the creation of polymer composites with exceptional strength. These environmentally-friendly alternatives offer a compelling substitute for synthetic composites. This study explores the use of date palm waste as reinforcement for the fabrication of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composites. A surface modification method was essential for improving the binding interaction between palm fibers and PVC composites. The two-hour benzoyl chloride treatment at 140 °C played a crucial role. The study examined the effects of hydrothermal aging on mechanical properties of composites, using various techniques such as surface morphology analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, and Thermogravimetric Analysis, on composites made of untreated fibers and those treated with benzoyl chloride. Although the treatment of palm fiber-reinforced composites with benzoyl chloride improved their mechanical properties, it is crucial to note that hydrothermal aging reduced their tensile strength by 10%. Despite this, these composites prove to be well-suited for applications requiring moderate strength and stiffness in mild environmental conditions. These composites, while utilizing benzoyl chloride for surface treatment, still represent a more sustainable alternative to traditional synthetic composites by incorporating renewable date palm waste and enhancing mechanical properties, which potentially reduces overall environmental impact.

Natural Fiber-Reinforced Composite Incorporated with Anhydride-Cured Epoxidized Linseed-Oil Resin and Atmospheric Pressure Plasma-Treated Flax Fibers.

Fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) represent a promising class of engineering materials due to their mechanical performance. However, the vast majority of FRCs are currently manufactured using carbon and glass fibers, which raises concerns because of the difficulties in recycling and the reliance on finite fossil resources. On the other hand, the use of natural fibers is still hampered due to the problems such as, e.g., differences in polarity between the reinforcement and the polymer matrix components, leading to a significant decrease in composite durability. In this work, we present a natural fiber-reinforced composite (NFRC), incorporating plasma pre-treated flax fibers as the reinforcing element, thermoplastic polylactic acid (PLA) as a matrix, and a key point of the current study-a thermoset coating based on epoxidized linseed oil for adhesion improvement. Using atmospheric plasma-jet treatment allows for increasing the fiber's surface energy from 20 to 40 mN/m. Furthermore, a thermoset coating layer based on epoxidized linseed oil, in conjunction with dodecyl succinic anhydride (DDSA) as a curing agent and 2,4,6-tris(dimethyl amino methyl) phenol (DMP-30) as a catalyst, has been developed. This coated layer exhibits a decomposition temperature of 350 °C, and there is a substantial increase in the dispersive surface-energy part of the coated flax fibers from 8 to 30 mN/m. The obtained natural fiber-reinforced composite (NFRC) was prepared by belt-pressing with a PLA film, and its mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile testing. The results showed an elastic modulus up to 18.3 GPa, which is relevant in terms of mechanical properties and opens up a new pathway to use natural-based fiber-reinforced bio-based materials as a convenient approach to greener FRCs.

Exploring innovative resilient and sustainable bio-materials for structural applications: Hemp-fibre concrete

Traditional construction is no longer practical in the modern competitive sustainability market, and growing urbanisation demands are paralleled by heightening concerns over the depletion of natural resources. Abundant renewability is offered in agriculture products for construction. A successful prototype is in the use of natural fibre, e.g., the commercially available hemp fibre (HF). Hemp is a widely accessible plant with flexible and sustainable cultivation processes possessing a positive carbon sequestration effect. HF possesses superior physio-mechanical properties, such as high tensile strength and excellent insulation capacity. The barrier to broader adoption lies in the nonuniformity inherent to natural materials and deficiencies imposed in using HF for composites, such as heightened permeability and slow setting, presenting engineering challenges that limit the suitability of HF to hydraulic mortars for non-structural applications. This paper aims to deliver a comprehensive state-of-the-art review of existing hemp fibre-reinforced concrete (HFRC) experiments towards identifying structural potential in various cementitious binders. In experimenting different arrangements of hemp in concrete, positive outcomes include increased flexural capacity, however, a loss in compressive strength and higher permeability are reported.

Polybenzoxazine/Epoxy Copolymer Reinforced with Phosphorylated Microcrystalline Cellulose: Curing Behavior, Thermal, and Flame Retardancy Properties

This study aims to explore new flame-retardant composites based on a phosphorus-functionalized cellulose derivative and epoxy/benzoxazine thermosetting resins in order to broaden the use of natural fibers in advanced applications. The study involved the phosphorylation of microcrystalline cellulose followed by its characterization through employing various analytical methods to corroborate the accomplishment of its functionalization. The curing behavior of composites based on the polybenzoxazine/epoxy copolymer reinforced with (1 and 5 wt.%) modified microcrystalline cellulose was hereafter considered. The thermal behavior of these composites was correspondingly investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, where improved thermal stability and the limiting oxygen index were stressed. Flame retardancy tests using the vertical burning test UL 94 and heat of combustion analysis utilizing an oxygen bomb calorimeter were also carried out to deeply examine the possible flame retardancy ability of the considered composites.

Flexural behaviour of geopolymer concrete beams with hybrid natural–synthetic fibre reinforcement

The requirement of excellent flexural stiffness in construction elements has initiated the use of fibre reinforcement. However, the processing complexity involved in the manufacture of synthetic fibres is environmentally hazardous. The use of natural fibres in geopolymer concrete (GPC) structures was investigated in this work using a hybridisation of natural and synthetic fibre. Natural basalt fibre (BF) was used with synthetic steel fibre (SF) in various proportions in GPC and tests were conducted to evaluate the workability, compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength. It was found that, compared with the plain GPC, the addition of 1.5% BF and 0.5% SF resulted in 45%, 27% and 12% improvements in compressive, split tensile and flexural strengths, respectively. The compatibility between the SF and BF resulted in enhanced post-peak flexural behaviour, with 37% improvements in the modulus of elasticity and stiffness. As BF possesses more tensile strength than SF, the use of 1.5% BF and 0.5% SF provided better flexural and ductility properties than the use of SF alone, which could lead to the development of ductile GPC members under dynamic loading conditions.

Effect of hybridisation on the mechanical and weathering characteristics on jute-arecanut leaf-epoxy composites

ABSTRACT Natural fibres play a crucial role in composites by offering renewable, sustainable, low cost and lightweight alternatives to synthetic fibres, promoting eco-friendly composites. Combination of natural fibres such as jute and areca nut in fabricating hybrid composites with superior properties forms the basis of this study. It was observed that mechanical properties increased with increasing natural fibre content. However, jute composites exhibited better properties (strength and rigidity) than arecanut leaf fibre composites due to their inherent superior properties. Hybridisation of fibres yielded higher properties showing that the combination of jute and areca nut fibres (30 wt % fibre content) is more effective in reinforcing the composites. Weathering characteristics revealed that the water absorption and swelling occurred in composites upon their exposure to external environment, water and chemicals. Moreover, their impact properties also decreased subsequent to weathering. Finite element analysis was carried out on these composites under tensile and flexural loading conditions yielded similar trends with experimental results. Remarkable mechanical properties exhibited due to hybridisation of these composites give them potential to be used in different domains such as automobile interiors, furniture, packaging, etc., with lower cost due to the use of natural fibres.

STUDY ON ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF SOIL USING STONE DUST AND BAGASSE ASH

In the discipline of civil engineering, soil stabilization is the process of enhancing and improving the engineering qualities of soil so that it can support large loads without failing. The safe and efficient disposal of waste material without causing harm to society is a significant concern in a well-managed ecosystem. Utilizing solid waste products to stabilize soil has become more popular recently as a successful way to manage trash from many sectors. This paper reviews the usage of various solid waste items that have been applied to stabilize soft soils. However, there are numerous approaches and strategies for stabilizing this soil. This research offers a method for stabilizing soft soil using waste products. An investigation into the stabilizing potential of bagasse ash and sisal fiber for highly compressible clayey soil has been prompted by the rising expense of building traditional stabilizers and the necessity of inexpensively consuming industrial and agricultural wastes for value trade. There is a growing demand for sustainable construction, which is why recent research has concentrated on sustainable resource consumption trends. We can employ natural and biodegradable resources, as well as waste products, to obtain. This study was a large-scale laboratory experiment to explore the use of natural fibers, industrial waste, and agricultural waste to improve the engineering qualities of moderately compressible clay. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Stone Dust and Bagasse Ash were suitable for stabilizing clayey soil. The results of testing for consistency limits, maximum dry density, optimal moisture content, UCS, and (soaked) CBR were obtained using percentages of 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight of dry soil for Bagasse Ash and 6%, 8%, and 10% for Stone Dust. In this work, expansive soil was stabilized using Stone Dust and Bagasse Ash. Bagasse Ash was fixed at 15%, after that Stone Dust was changed to 3%, 6%, and 9%. Key Words: Compaction test, CBR, UCS, Stone Dust, Bagasse Ash

Fostering sustainability: The environmental advantages of natural fiber composite materials – a mini review

In recent decades, natural fiber reinforced composites (NFRCs) have become an attractive substitute for conventional materials such as glass fiber and have attracted considerable interest from researchers and academics, particularly in the context of environmental protection. Environmental factors and their impact on the fundamental properties of renewable materials are becoming an increasingly popular area of study, particularly natural fibers and their composites. While this area of research is still expanding, natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRCs) have found widespread use in a variety of engineering contexts. Natural fibers (NFs) such as pineapple leaf (PALF), bamboo, abaca, coconut fibers, jute, banana, flax, hemp, sisal, kenaf, and others have many desirable properties, but their development and use present researchers with a number of obstacles. These fibers have attracted attention due to their various advantageous properties, such as lightness, economy, biodegradability, remarkable specific strength, and competitive mechanical properties, which make them promising candidates for use as biomaterials. As a result, they can serve as alternative materials to traditional composite fibers such as glass, aramid, and carbon in various applications. In addition, natural fibers have attracted the interest of an increasing number of researchers because they are readily available in nature and as by-products of agricultural and food systems, contributing to the improvement of the environmental ecosystem. This interest coincides with the search for environmentally friendly materials to replace synthetic fibers used in the construction, automotive, and packaging industries. The use of natural fibers is not only logical but also practical, as their fibrous form can be easily extracted and strengthened by chemical, physical, or enzymatic treatments. This article provides a brief overview of NFRCs, looking at their chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. It also highlights some of the significant advances associated with NFRCs from an economic, environmental, and sustainability perspective. Additionally, it provides a concise discussion of their diverse applications, all with a focus on their positive impact on the environment.

Influence of Banana Fiber on Mechanical Properties of Luffa Nanoparticles Epoxy Composite

The rapid growing in technology as opened way for the utilization of eco-friendly resources, particularly the use of natural fiber for the creation of polymer composites. In the present work, banana fibers and the luffa were extracted from luffa plant and banana stem by manual stripping into strands. 60 nm luffa fiber was obtained after milling in a planetary ball milling machine and pre-impregnated into epoxy resin matrix. 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 wt.% short banana fiber were blended with the matrix for the production of composites using hand lay-up method. The hardness, tensile strength, and flexural strength of the produced composites were evaluated. The hardness, tensile and flexural strengths (47.5 – 52.6 Hv, 12.75 – 14.81 MPa and 143.93 – 165.83 MPa) of the produced composites were observed to increase with increasing short banana fiber content from 2 wt.% - 15 wt.% and decreased at 20 wt.%. Properties of the produced composites can be satisfactorily used in synergy as raw materials for composites manufacturing to widen its applications. Keywords: Polymer Composites, Nanoparticle Luffa fiber, Short Banana fiber, Epoxy Resin Aims Research Journal Reference Format: Babatunde I. A., Adetola S. O. &amp; Mudashiru L. O. (2024): Influence of Banana Fiber on Mechanical Properties of Luffa Nanoparticles Epoxy Composite. Advances in Multidisciplinary and Scientific Research Journal Vol. 10. No. 2. Pp 107-116 www.isteams.net/aimsjournal. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/V10N2P9

Characterization of natural cellulosic fiber extracted from Grewia ferruginea plant stem

The use of natural fibers as reinforcement in polymer composites has gained significant attention due to their eco-friendly, and biodegradability. This study aims to extract and characterize the natural cellulosic fibers from the Grewia ferruginea stem. The fibers were extracted from plant stems using sodium hydroxide and analyzed using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine chemical bonds on the fiber and functional group and Thermos-gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to determine the thermal stability and degradation temperature of the fiber. The crystalline properties of extracted fibers were characterized by x-ray diffraction and surface morphology was characterized by Scanning electron microscopy. The chemical composition of the fibers, including cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, moisture, extractive content, and fiber linear density, was evaluated. Tensile, thermal, and FTIR studies were conducted to assess the performance properties of the extracted fiber. The analysis revealed that the Grewia ferruginea fibers contain cellulose (60.4–72.6 wt%), hemicellulose (18.5 ± 3.1 %), and lignin (13.55 ± 2.75 %). The extracted fibers have a crystallinity index of 48.76 % and crystallite size of 5.14 nm. The fiber exhibited tenacity, breaking elongation, and Young's modulus values of (52.3 ± 6.5 cN/tex), (3.6 ± 1.8 %), and 43.5 ± 2.3 GPa, respectively. FTIR studies confirmed the presence of biopolymers in the Grewia ferruginea fiber. Additionally, the fibers demonstrated thermal stability up to 275 °C based on thermogravimetric analysis. These findings suggest that the extracted natural cellulosic Grewia ferruginea fiber has the potential to be used as a sustainable reinforcement material in polymeric composites.

Strengthening Concrete Characteristics through Fiber Additives: A Comprehensive Review

This paper comprehensively reviews the incorporation of waste materials and fibers into concrete to enhance its mechanical properties and environmental sustainability. Waste materials, including carbon fiber, coconut shell aggregate, fly ash, waste glass, and marble waste, have been found to significantly improve concrete properties. For example, carbon fiber admixtures enhance compressive, flexural, and split tensile strength, while fly ash and waste glass replacements improve overall properties. The inclusion of recycled nylon fiber (RNF) and crushed recycled aggregate (CRA) also enhances concrete's mechanical properties, with RNF increasing tensile strength and CRA reducing density. Furthermore, the use of natural fibers like sisal and jute has shown potential for improving compressive strength, tensile strength, and durability. Incorporating these waste materials and fibers into concrete not only enhances its properties but also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing waste accumulation. Further research is needed to optimize their use for sustainable concrete production, highlighting the importance of utilizing fibers for environmental conservation.

Suitability of using areca nut fiber as reinforcing material in compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) for low-cost housing

An economical and cost-effective replacement for conventional building materials is Compressed Stabilized Earth Block (CSEB). However, they are vulnerable to erosion and cracking, particularly in humid settings. The use of natural fibers as reinforcement is found effective in overcoming this problem. Areca nut fiber which is a complete waste material in countries like Bangladesh and India is also a sturdy, adaptable, and water-resistant natural fiber that makes it the perfect choice as fiber reinforcement material for CSEBs. In this article, the strength performance analysis of areca nut fiber as a reinforcement material for CSEBs is investigated, where 0%, 0.85%, 2%, 5%, and 8% of areca nut fiber is mixed with soil that is stabilized with 10% cement. CSEB specimens of 4″ × 4″ × 4″ size have been made and tested for compressive strength, tensile strength, bulk density, and water absorption. It is observed that there is an 83.76% increase in compressive strength and an 8.89% increase in splitting tensile strength for 0.85% of areca nut fiber content specimen cured for 90 days. The water absorption was found a minimum of 9.07% for 0.85% areca nut fiber content and the minimum density of the block was observed at 1810 kg/m3 for the optimum percentage of 0.85% mix. The study indicates that using 0.85% of areca nut fiber content in stabilized CSEB shows a significant improvement in the strength characteristics of compressed stabilized earth blocks.Graphical

Optimization of composition parameter of Banana-Areca fiber epoxy based composite material for impact strength using Taguchi method

The use of natural fibers in various automotive, aerospace, marine, domestic, and electronic applications is increasing day by day for various reasons such as availability, high tensile, flexural, and impact strength, ease of fabrication, and abrasion-resistant properties. These fibers are replacing synthetic fibers due to harmless environmental risks. Natural fibers are commonly used as reinforcement materials in various thermoplastics. Therefore, in this study, a bio composite was prepared using a mixture of banana fiber and areca fiber. In this experimental work, various combination of Banana and areca fiber is used to prepare the composite for the impact strength of the material. The impact strength is performed for three different levels of volume of banana fiber, areca, and epoxy resin. Parameter optimization is performed using Taguchi analysis which forms an L9 orthogonal meshing of an array and the signal-to-noise ratio is used to optimize the control factors affecting the impact resistance of the material. For each group, the impact resistance is measured according to the ASTM D256 standard. Analysis of variance is done to determine the most significant factor influencing the impact strength of the material. The composition of banana fiber layer 1 turned out to be the most significant factor in achieving the high-impact strength of the material. A confirmation test was conducted to validate the predicted results of Taguchi analysis and experimental testing.

Pengaruh Fraksi Volume Serat Terhadap Peningkatan Kekuatan Impak dan Kekuatan Tarik Komposit Berpenguat Serat Daun Nanas (Ananas Cosmosus)

A composite is a technical material that is made by combining two or more materials that have different properties to become a new material with different properties. Natural fibers used as composite reinforcement are more environmentally friendly and biodegradable. The use of natural fibers as composite reinforcement in recent years has experienced very rapid development. One of them is pineapple leaf fiber. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of fiber volume fraction and NaOH immersion on the mechanical properties (Tensile Strength and Impact Strength) of composites reinforced with pineapple leaf fibers with an epoxy matrix. In this research, woven composites were made with variations in volume fraction and NaOH immersion time for the fibers, then tensile tests according to ASTM D-3039 standards and impact tests according to ASTM D256 standards. Based on test results with varying fiber volume fractions of 15%, 20%, and 25%, the strength results increase and decrease. The tensile strength of the composite tends to increase with increasing fiber volume fraction and NaOH immersion. However, the longer the soaking time, namely 4 hours, the tensile strength of the composite tends to decrease. The most optimal average value of tensile strength is at a fiber volume fraction of 25% with fiber soaking for 2 hours with a value of 23.07 MPa and the lowest average value of tensile strength is at a fiber volume fraction of 15% with fiber soaking for 4 hours with value 11.31 MPa. Meanwhile, the highest average impact value was owned by a composite with a fiber volume fraction of 20% without soaking, namely 0.0589 j/mm2 and the lowest impact value was with a fiber volume fraction of 20% with fiber soaking for 4 hours, namely 0.0124 j/mm2.

Optimizing yarn properties through response surface methodology: Finding the ideal flax and cotton fiber proportion in blended yarns by using design‐expert software

AbstractThe textile industries are looking forward to sustainable textile products. The bio‐based products are very important for protecting the environment, reducing carbon emissions, eliminating chemical pollution, and preserving the resources. These products provide economic advantages and strengthen communities with customer expectations for environmentally friendly items. In addition, sustainable practices encourage innovation and contribute to a healthier and adaptable environment, making them an essential textile product. Here the natural flax fiber plays a vital role due to its eco‐friendly behavior. Cotton‐flax blended yarns are manufacturing for perfect use of natural fibers and getting the better quality yarn than single product yarn. Here in this work it was trying to find out the perfect blending ratio by using Design‐Expert software. Because different blended ratio contain different characteristics. So it was trying to find out a perfect blending solution from the thirteen different ratios by using Design‐Expert software. This software analyses the blended ratios through statistical analysis. This study focuses on the unevenness (U%), imperfection index (IPI), hairiness (H%), tenacity (cN/tex) and elongation at break of the blended yarn. During the analysis the actual and predicted values were checked and it shows good significance, the correlation and regression analysis highlight the results of the samples summary. The findings of the study have great impact on the quality of cotton‐flax blended yarn, which impact on the quality of textile products. This work not only helps to understand cotton‐flax blending using Design‐Expert software, but it also highlights the possibility of using the perfect blended ratio by giving a solution.Highlights To identify the perfect blended ratio of flax and cotton fiber for producing blended yarn. Design‐Expert software has been used to find out the perfect response through yarn properties surface methodology. Thirteen experimental runs were trailed to find the perfect result.