Effect of Nanofillers on Mechanical and Water Absorption Properties of Alkaline Treated Jute Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Bio Nanocomposites

ABSTRACT

Natural fiber composites (NFCs) are gaining popularity in various technical sectors due to their environmental friendliness and low cost. In this study, alumina and magnesia were employed as nanofillers in various compositions of alkaline-treated and untreated jute fiber reinforced epoxy bio nanocomposites (BNCs). The synergetic effect of surface treatment and nanofillers was investigated in terms of mechanical properties (compression and interlaminar shear), water absorption behavior, and morphology of composites. Significant improvements in compressive and interlaminar shear strengths were reported, as well as a substantial decrease in the proportion of water absorbed. The optimal nanofiller concentration was observed at 3% in both alkaline-treated and untreated jute fiber-reinforced epoxy BNCs. The results demonstrate that nanofillers combined with surface treatment can significantly improve the strength and water absorption properties of jute fiber reinforced epoxy BNCs.

摘要

天然纤维复合材料(NFC) 因其环境友好性和低成本而在各个技术领域越来越受欢迎. 在本研究中,氧化铝和氧化镁被用作各种成分的碱处理和未处理黄麻纤维增强环氧树脂生物纳米复合材料(BNC) 的纳米填料. 从复合材料的力学性能(压缩和层间剪切)、吸水性能和形貌方面研究了表面处理和纳米填料的协同效应. 据报道,抗压强度和层间剪切强度显著提高,吸水比例大幅下降. 碱处理和未处理的黄麻纤维增强环氧BNC的最佳纳米填料浓度均为3%. 结果表明,纳米填料与表面处理相结合可以显著提高黄麻纤维增强环氧树脂BNC的强度和吸水性能.

KEYWORDS:

• Natural fibers
• filler material
• mechanical properties
• water absorption properties
• surface treatment
• SEM

关键词:

• 关键词
• 天然纤维
• 填充材料
• 力学性能
• 吸水性能
• 表面处理

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Pakistani Higher Education Commission (HEC) HRDI-UESTPs

scholarship and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia for Fundamental Research Grant

Scheme with Project Code: FRGS/1/2018/TK09/USM/02/4.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia for Fundamental Research Grant Scheme [FRGS/1/2018/TK09/USM/02/4].