Improved mechanical properties with the soaking time of NaOH in composites made from sugarcane bagasse fibers for future windmill blades material

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 5% NaOH alkalization and soaking time for 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours on mechanical properties by tensile and impact testing and scanning electron microscope (SEM) on composites with sugarcane bagasse fiber reinforcement and epoxy matrix which have the potential as future wind turbine blades material. The method used in the manufacture of composites was a hand lay-up method with a volume fraction ratio of 60% epoxy matrix and 40% waste sugarcane bagasse fiber. The optimum results of this composite study showed the impact strength value on the composite with 5% NaOH soaking for 2 hours was 0.120 Jmm-2, the tensile strength value was on the composite with 5% NaOH soaking for 2 hours at 10.80 MPa. SEM analysis results on the tensile test fracture pattern showed that composites have failed in the form of fiber pull out and debonding which can reduce mechanical properties, especially in strength. In this study, it was concluded that the alkalization process of 5% NaOH for 2 hours had a significant influence on improving the mechanical properties of sugarcane-epoxy fiber composites.