Long-term aging effects and diffusion kinetics in corrosive medium (pH 8) of chemically treated natural fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Chemically treated natural fiber-reinforced composites exhibit excellent strength, are lightweight, and have long-term durability in dry and corrosive environments. This study fabricates two types of composites, in which fibers are treated with five different chemicals such as alkaline, potassium permanganate, benzoyl peroxide, sodium chlorite, and stearic acid. The impact of various chemical treatments on the fiber surface modifies the composite's mechanical characteristics, water absorption properties, and diffusion kinetics. The properties of composites are influenced by structural elements (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin). To assess aging, every type of composite was soaked in a pH 8 medium for 90 days. Tensile and flexural results were validated by FEM using ABAQUS. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effective surface treatments for JUCO and banana fiber composites by various surface treatment, which could be utilized extensively in the automotive, aerospace, and marine industries to create a variety of components because of their desirable qualities, affordability, and sustainability.