An Experimental Study of Physical, Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Alkali Treated Moringa/areca Based Natural Fiber Hybrid Composites

ABSTRACT

In this study, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) composites reinforced with areca sheath and Moringa oleifera fruit fibers were fabricated using injection molding technique. The fabricated composites were designated as Areca sheath fiber/PET (AF composites), Moringa oleifera fruit fibers/PET (MF composites) and Areca/Moringa PET composites (AM composites). Neat PET composites were also prepared for comparison purpose. Physical characteristics such as void percentage, micro-hardness and mechanical characteristics like impact, flexural and tensile strength were investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was done to get a clear idea about the surface texture and study the failure mechanism of the composites. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was also carried out to study the thermal properties of the composites. Experimental results indicated that tensile and flexural properties of MF composites were higher than that of AF and AM composites. However, micro-hardness and impact strength of AM composites were better than that of others. SEM micrographs presented better fiber-matrix bonding in MF composites and this indicated improved resistance of the composite to thermal degradation in TGA analysis. Thus, Moringa oleifera and areca fiber-reinforced PET composites can be used for light to moderately loaded structural engineering applications as an alternative material.

摘要

在这项研究中，聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯（PET）复合材料由槟榔皮和辣木果实纤维增强，采用注射成型技术制造. 制成的复合材料被命名为槟榔皮纤维/聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯（AF复合材料），辣木果实纤维/聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯（MF复合材料）和槟榔/辣木聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯复合材料（AM复合材料）. 还制备了纯聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯复合材料用于比较目的. 研究了诸如空隙率，显微硬度和冲击，弯曲和拉伸强度等机械特性的物理特性. 进行了扫描电子显微镜（SEM）的研究，以弄清表面纹理并研究了复合材料的破坏机理. 此外，还进行了热重分析（TGA）以研究复合材料的热性能. 实验结果表明，辣木果实纤维复合材料的拉伸和弯曲性能高于槟榔皮纤维和槟榔/辣木复合材料. 但是，槟榔/辣木复合材料的显微硬度和冲击强度优于其他复合材料. 扫描电子显微镜照片显示辣木果实纤维复合材料中纤维与基质之间的结合更好，这表明该复合材料在热重分析中具有更好的抗热降解性. 因此，辣木和槟榔纤维增强的聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯复合材料可用作轻到中度负荷的结构工程应用的替代材料.

KEYWORDS:

• Areca sheath fibers
• Moringa fruit fibers
• polyethylene terephthalate
• physical/mechanical properties
• thermal properties

关键词:

• 槟榔皮纤维
• 辣木果实纤维
• 聚对苯二甲酸
• 物理/机械性能
• 热性能