Investigations on thermal properties of Kevlar K49 type fiber reinforced sugarcane ash blended polyester composite

This study investigates the thermal properties of a composite material made from Kevlar K49 fiber reinforced sugarcane bagasse blended with polyester. The focus is on thermal conductivity, coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CTE), heat deflection temperature (HDT), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The composite material’s thermal conductivity ranging from 4.68 to 4.97 W/mK demonstrates its suitability for thermal insulation applications. The CTE determined to be 2.98 × 10^–6 /°C, indicates enhanced dimensional stability during thermal cycling. The composite’s HDT ranging from 132 to 145 °C demonstrates its ability to maintain structural integrity under elevated temperatures. The TGA reveals a complex degradation pattern, exhibiting significant thermal stability up to 350 °C and a residual weight of 30–40 %, highlighting the durability of the composite. These findings suggest that incorporating Kevlar K49 filaments and sugarcane ash into the polyester matrix significantly enhances the thermal performance of the composite. This makes it an excellent choice for high-performance applications in industries such as automotive, aviation, and others that require effective thermal management and stability.