Experimental Investigation on Density and Volume Fraction of Void, and Mechanical Characteristics of Areca Nut Leaf Sheath Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Abstract

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite is a rapidly growing topic of research due to the simplicity of obtaining composites that is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. The resulting composites have mechanical properties comparable to synthetic fiber-reinforced composites. In this regard, the present work is formulated with the objectives related to the development, characterization, and optimization of the wt% of reinforcements and the process parameters. The novelty of this work is related to the identification and standardization of the appropriate wt% of reinforcements and parameters for the processing of the areca nut leaf sheath fiber-based polymer composites for enhanced performance attributes. With this basic purview and scope, the composites are synthesized using the hand layup process, and the composite samples of various fiber compositions (20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) are fabricated. The mechanical characteristics of biodegradable polymer composites reinforced with areca nut leaf sheath fibers are investigated in the present work, with a focus on the effect of fiber composition (tensile properties, flexural strength, and impact strength). The properties of composites are enhanced by combining the areca nut leaf sheath fiber and epoxy resin, with a fiber content of 50% being the optimal wt%. The Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations also ascertain this by depicting the good interfacial adhesion between the areca nut leaf sheath fiber and the epoxy resin. The tensile strength of the composite specimen reinforced with 50% areca nut fiber increases to 44.6 MPa, while the young’s modulus increases to 1900 MPa, flexural strength increases to 64.8 MPa, the flexural modulus increases to 37.9 GPa, and impact strength increases to 34.1 k J/m2. As a result, the combination of areca nut leaf sheath fiber reinforced epoxy resin shows considerable potential as a renewable and biodegradable polymer composite. Furthermore, areca nut leaf sheath fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites are likely to replace petroleum-based polymers in the future. The ecosustainability and biodegradability of the composite specimen alongside the improved mechanical characteristics serve as the major highlight of the present work, and can help the polymer composite industry to further augment the synthetic matrix and fiber-based composites with the natural fiber-reinforced composites.

Mechanical Properties of Composites Combination of Areca Fronds with Epoxy Resin

“…In a study of the tensile characteristics of areca fiber composites, it was found that chemical treatment of the fiber could change the mechanical properties, and the areca fiber treatment increased the mechanical strength when compared to non-alkali fibers. When compared with untreated fibers, fibers treated with alkali proved a significant increase in elastic strength [7].…”

“…When the fiber weight fraction reaches the required percentage, the mechanical strength of the composite specimen increases again. Therefore, it can be estimated that a fiber weight percentage of 50% is an important ingredient for the composite [15].…”

Characterization Specifications for FRP Pultruded Materials: From Constituents to Pultruded Profiles

“…The density of FRP materials is influenced by factors such as the type of fibers and resin used, void content, and manufacturing process. Voids within composites can significantly reduce density and affect mechanical characteristics, leading to reduced fatigue resistance, increased susceptibility to weathering, and varied strength properties [16]. Pultruded FRP materials generally have lower density than traditional construction materials like steel or concrete, contributing to their lightweight nature.…”

Influence of fly ash filler on the mechanical properties and water absorption behaviour of epoxy polymer composites reinforced with pineapple leaf fibre for biomedical applications

“…Various methods, such as layer-by-layer stacking, arranging different bres in a single layer, varying the bre orientation, and selective bre placement, are employed for hybridization. [32][33][34][35][36] At the nanoscale, nano-llers can be added to create hybrid nanocomposites, with their properties inuenced by the choice of nano-ller, manufacturing method, dispersion, and interaction between bres and the matrix. [37][38][39][40][41] The addition of FA, red mud and other discernible wastes causing threats to environment, as ller materials to a polymer matrix is a novel research area, since ndings on the effectiveness of utilizing these discernible wastes from human activities are still in their nascent stage, and only incipient information is available.…”