Investigation and Fabrication of Thermo-mechanical Properties of Ceiba Pentandra Bark Fiber/Poly (Vinyl) Alcohol Composites for Automobile Dash Board and Door Panel Applications

ABSTRACT

In the present study, Ceiba pentandra bark (CP) fibers, owing to their low weight-to-high strength ratio and recyclable features have been selected as reinforcement in thermoplastic polymer. i.e., poly (vinyl) alcohol (PVA) for fabrication of composites to find its application in automobile dash board and door panel. The bark fibers were chemically modified with NaOH to enhance its bonding property with hydrophobic polymer. The mechanical properties increases at the early stage with the increase in fiber content till optimum (20 wt% of fiber) fiber loading following that it declines. The mechanical properties obtained at optimum fiber loading are 98.49 MPa of flexural strength, 32.01 kJ/m² of impact strength, 85.92 MPa of tensile strength and 98.49 MPa of flexural strength. The composites were further characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis, and scanning electron microscopy for analysis. The thermal stability of the composites increased as compared to neat PVA matrix which was concluded by TGA. 20 wt% fiber content composites were found to be highly suitable for making dash board and door panels by automotive industries as it reveals better mechanical as well as thermal properties compared with other fabricated composites.

摘要

本研究以木香树皮(CP)纤维为增强材料，利用其较低的重高强比和可回收利用的特点，对其进行了强化研究。研究了聚乙烯醇(PVA)复合材料在汽车仪表板和车门面板中的应用. 用NaOH对树皮纤维进行化学改性，以增强其与疏水聚合物的结合性能. 随着纤维含量的增加，纤维的力学性能在早期有所提高，直至纤维负荷达到最优(重量为20%)，然后下降. 在最佳纤维载荷下获得的力学性能为:弯曲强度98.49 MPa，冲击强度32.01 kJ/m2，拉伸强度85.92 MPa，弯曲强度98.49 MPa. 通过热重分析(TGA)、动态力学分析(DMA)和扫描电镜(SEM)对复合材料进行了表征. 复合材料的热稳定性较纯PVA基体有所提高。研究发现，与其它复合材料相比，20% wt%的纤维含量的复合材料具有更好的机械性能和热性能，非常适合汽车工业生产仪表板和门.

KEYWORDS:

• Ceiba pentandra bark fibers
• chemical treatment
• thermal properties
• mechanical properties
• polyvinyl alcohol

圓键词:

• 木荷树皮纤维
• 化学治疗
• 热性能
• 机械性能
• 聚乙烯醇

Declaration of interest

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.