Effect of chemicals treatment and fiber loading on mechanical properties of borassus (Toddy palm) fiber/epoxy composites

Abstract

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 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) treatments on the fibers surface were carried out. Examinations through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) 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 by chemically modified and untreated Borassus fibers were studied using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). 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 combination of alkali and silane exhibited superior mechanical properties as compared with alkali and untreated fiber composites. The nature of 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