Influence of Mechanical Properties in the Surface Modification of Palm Fiber/Epoxy Matrix Composite

ABSTRACT

Composite reinforcement with naturally available fibers could replace some materials that are conventional like metals and wood. The work presents the mechanical characterization related to epoxy composite reinforced using palm fiber on treatment of alkaline solution. Sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) was used as an agent for treating the fibers and composite specimens were prepared by epoxy reinforced palm fibers at different volume percentage (20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) and evaluation was done for better loading condition through hand lay-up method. The specimens thus prepared were tested for different mechanical properties like flexural, tensile, impact, ILSS and hardness in order to evaluate the strength of the composites as per the ASTM standards. The above said properties are found to be greater for 40 vol.% of surface modified palm fiber composite designation EC40 than the unmodified one. The highest tensile strength of 162MPa, flexural strength of 185MPa and ILSS of 27MPa were observed for this composite. Similarly, the surface-treated EC40 composite designation gives improved mass loss stability. The composites were more stable even at temperature above 330°C. The SEM images showed improved adhesion with matrix.

摘要

天然纤维复合增强材料可以取代一些传统材料, 如金属和木材. 本工作介绍了在碱性溶液处理中使用棕榈纤维增强环氧复合材料的机械特性. 以氢氧化钠溶液 (NaOH) 为处理剂, 采用不同体积百分比 (20%, 30%, 40%和50%) 的环氧树脂增强棕榈纤维制备复合材料试样, 并通过手糊法对较好的加载条件进行评价. 为了按照ASTM标准评估复合材料的强度, 对由此制备的试样进行了弯曲, 拉伸, 冲击, ILSS和硬度等不同机械性能的测试. 发现40体积%的表面改性棕榈纤维复合材料EC40的上述性能大于未改性棕榈纤维复合材料EC40. 该复合材料的最高拉伸强度为162MPa, 弯曲强度为185MPa, ILSS为27MPa. 同样, 经表面处理的EC40复合材料名称提高了质量损失稳定性. 即使在3300°C以上, 复合材料也更稳定. SEM图像显示与基体的附着力得到改善.

KEYWORDS:

• PMC
• Palm fiber
• Mechanical properties
• SEM
• TGA

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.