The low density, lightweight, easy processing and biodegradability nature of Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite have gained enough attention from many researchers and scientists. Kapok Fiber (Ceiba pentandra) is a natural cellulosic fiber have a hollow microtubular structure and a high degree of hollowness. The hand lay-up technique has been adopted for kapok fiber-reinforced epoxy polymer composite fabrication with different fiber loading(2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 wt %). The mechanical strength of kapok fiber-reinforced polymer epoxy composite is investigated through the flexural and tensile test. The best flexural and tensile performance is observed at 5 wt% loading of kapok fiber. To increase compatibility between fiber and epoxy matrix dewaxing process is adopted. The effect of dewaxing on cellulose crystallinity, crystallinity size, surface morphology, elemental composition and functional groups of fiber are studied. The roughness of the fiber surface increases after dewaxing due to the partial removal of non-cellulosic compounds like lignin, pectin, wax and some oily substances. The increase in fiber surface roughness and cellulose crystallinity index by chemical treatment made a strong interlocking at the fiber-matrix interface. The effect of dewaxing on mechanical strength is also studied to fabricate the composite for the benefit of society.
The present study attempts to establish a correlation
between the
macromolecular parameters obtained from small angle X-ray scattering
(SAXS) analysis of pretreated sunn hemp (Crotalaria
juncea) fibers with the dielectric and mechanical
properties of their composites. Sunn hemp fiber is pretreated chemically
by dewaxing and alkalization methods and physically by microwave irradiation.
The treatment effect is structurally investigated using a correlation
function from SAXS data and correlated with the mechanical as well
as electrical properties of composites. The macromolecular parameters
are observed to be influenced by pretreatment methods. Macromolecular
structural modifications are seen in dewaxed fiber (DSHC), fiber treated
with 10% of alkali soaked for 6 h (10K6C), and fiber microwave irradiated
with 800 watts for 6 min (800W6M), improving the mechanical as well
as electric properties of the reinforced composites.
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