Comprehensive Characterization of Furcraea selloa K. Koch Peduncle Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Composites—Effect of Fiber Length and Weight Ratio

Abstract

Nowadays, scientists and researchers working on polymer composites are paying much attention to the discovery of prospective plant fibers in order to build a promising fiber-reinforced polymer composite. The present study investigated the efficacy of using a novel Furcraea selloa K. Koch peduncle fiber in reinforced composites, and the specific composite characterization was done to explore the absolute fiber length and weight ratio to accomplish superior composite properties. For that, peduncle fibers with different length-to-weight ratios were reinforced with unsaturated polyester and the corresponding composites were tested to decide the optimum fiber length-to-weight ratio for obtaining the utmost composite properties. The results indicated that the highest mechanical properties were allied with a composite reinforced with 30 mm fiber length and 30 wt.% with the tensile strength of 103.51 MPa and flexural strength of 144.65 MPa. While the remaining tested volumes showed decreased properties as compared to optimal, which might be due to debonding effects or less interfacial bonding as examined clearly in SEM images of fractured samples. Enhanced thermal stability with 390°C and relatively reduced water absorption rate was observed in the case of optimal range when compared to other testing dimensions. Moreover, the current study confirmed that FSPF composites possess promising comparable properties which would be a good alternative to existing synthetic composites.

Suitability characterization of novel cellulosic plant fiber from Ficus benjamina L. aerial root for a potential polymeric composite reinforcement

“…Hence, density measurement was conducted for moisture-removed, dried fiber samples of 5 mm size, by using a pycnometer and toluene. [13][14][15] According to the relationship given in Equation (1), the density was calculated. [16] In this equation, m 1 represents the weight (kg) of the unoccupied pycnometer used, m 2 denotes the mass (kg) of the pycnometer holding fiber, m 3 signifies the heaviness (kg) of the instrument with toluene, and m 4 shows the weight (kg) of the pycnometer partaking fiber along with toluene.…”

“…The curves were then used to analyze standard deviations in the tensile characteristics and density of reference fibers. [13] 2.5 | Thermogravimetric analysis…”

“…[26] The FBRF possesses an intermediate worthwhile diameter, which was more than that of low diameter partaking fibers such as Cymbopogon flexuosus stem (118 μm), Prosopis juliflora (20 μm), jute (26 μm), aerial root of banyan tree (0.09-0.14 μm), Sansecieria ehrenbergii (20-250 μm), kenaf (65-71 μm), Ricinus communis (60-130 μm), F. religiosa root (0.09-0.12 μm), Furcreae foetida (12.8 μm), ramie (50 μm), and high-diameterbearing fibers such as C. quadrangularis root (610-725 μm) and juncus (3300 μm). [13,18] The density of a fiber is another important determinant. Whereas low density is a critical factor for its use in lightweight applicability, high density restricts the use of fiber in heavy structural applications.…”

“…To confirm the FBRF's crystalline and amorphous carbon domains, a high-resolution Delta 2 model 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (IISc, Bangalore) was used. The experiment was carried out at room temperature (25 C) at a 13 C functioning rate of 75.46 MHz using cross-polarization.…”

Mechanical, thermal, and surface morphological properties of Musa acuminate peduncle fiber‐reinforced polymeric composite: Effect of alkalization and fiber loading

“…[19][20][21][22] The percentage of hemicellulose was determined using the NFT 12-008 standard. [23][24][25] On an electronic moisture analyzer (HS153; Mettler Toledo), the moisture content of MAPFs was measured. [26,27] 2.4 | Making of a composite specimen…”