Effect of Chemical Treatment and Fiber Loading on Mechanical Properties of Borassus (Toddy Palm) Fiber/Epoxy Composites

K. Obi Reddy, C. Uma Maheswari, K. Ramakrishna Reddy, M. Shukla, E. Muzenda, A. Varada Rajulu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the mechanical properties of untreated and chemically modified Borassus fiber–reinforced epoxy composites. Composites were prepared by the hand lay-up process by reinforcing Borassus fibers with epoxy matrix. To improve the fiber-matrix adhesion properties, alkali (NaOH) and alkali combined with silane (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane) treatment of the fiber surface was carried out. Examinations through Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were conducted to investigate the structural and physical properties of the Borassus fibers. Tensile properties such as modulus and strength of the composites made with chemically modified and untreated Borassus fibers were studied using a universal testing machine. Based on the experimental results, it was found that the tensile properties of the Borassus-reinforced epoxy composites were significantly improved as compared with the neat epoxy. It was also found that the fiber treated with a combination of alkali and silane exhibited superior mechanical properties to alkali-treated and untreated fiber composites. The nature of the fiber/matrix interface was examined through SEM of cryo-fractured samples. Chemical resistance of composites was also found to be improved with chemically modified fiber composites. © 2015, Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)612-626
JournalInternational Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization
Volume20
Issue number7
Early online date22 Jun 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Bibliographical note

cited By 8

Keywords

  • Composite materials
  • Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
  • Materials testing apparatus
  • Mechanical properties
  • Morphology
  • Reinforcement
  • Scanning electron microscopy
  • Silanes
  • Spectroscopy
  • Tensile testing, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane
  • Chemical treatments
  • Chemically modified
  • Effect of chemicals
  • Fiber-matrix adhesion
  • Fiber/matrix interface
  • Structural and physical properties
  • Universal testing machines, Fibers

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