Investigation of thermo-mechanical properties of Cochlospermum Gossypium composite materials with inserted OPM fibre

Abstract

In this research, a complete systematic technique for fabricating and characterising the various properties of Cochlospermum Gossypium (CG) and oil palm mesocarp fibre (OPMF) reinforced composites are reported. Following the hand lay-up method for manufacturing composites with varying OPMF weight percentages (5, 10, and 15), the composites were subjected to a variety of characterisation tests. To improve the interfacial bonding, capabilities of OPM fibre surfaces were treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Microstructural studies, such as scanning electron microscopy, were performed on the produced samples, followed by mechanical characteristics like tensile, flexural, and impact tests. Furthermore, the TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) test was performed as part of the thermal tests. The treated composites were found to be increased by 69.64% in tensile strength and 38.37% in flexural strength when compared with untreated composites and neat matrix in the tensile test. Thermal study revealed that 15% of fibre content outperforms the other weight fractions of the composites under investigation, as evidenced by TGA, microstructural, and mechanical testing.