Synthesis, characterization and mechanical properties evaluation of muntingia calabura fibre reinforced epoxy composites: Fibre treatment comparison with NaOH and KOH

Abstract

Numerous studies demonstrate that the alteration in the fibre surface caused by the alkali treatment enhances the mechanical capabilities. Muntingia calabura is the novel fibre was used in the present study. The present work illustrates the mechanical and characterization of NaOH and KOH treated muntingia calabura fibre reinforced epoxy composites. Muntingia calabura fibre is extracted from the bark of muntingia calabura plant. The collected fibres are treated with 10% alkali solution and then fibre–epoxy composites are fabricated with different fibre loadings, evaluated the mechanical properties of the Muntingia calabura fibre–epoxy composites. The interfacial bonding between the Muntingia calabura fibre and epoxy (LY-5052) observed with the morphological study. Using thermo gravimetric and infrared spectroscopy, the degradation behaviour and thermal stability of the Muntingia calabura fibre composites and the functional chemicals included in them are investigated respectively. The composites exhibit maximum tensile and flexural strengths of 84 MPa and 185 MPa, respectively, at 20 weight percent of the fibre content treated with NaOH. At 15 weight percent of the fibre content treated with NaOH, the composites have a maximum impact strength of 19.5 J/m². It was found that the thermal stability of fibre composites treated with KOH and NaOH ranged from 250 to 400 degrees Celsius.