Tensile, Flexural, and Morphological Properties of Jute/Oil Palm Pressed Fruit Fibers Reinforced High Density Polyethylene Hybrid Composites

Abstract

The incorporation of materials that were formally regarded as agricultural wastes into polymeric matrix has drawn the attention of many researchers in recent years. This research focused on reinforcing high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix with treated jute fiber (JF)/oil palm pressed fruit fibers (OPPFF) at varying weight proportions. JF and OPPFF were cut to 2.5 mm length and were chemically treated thereafter with 1 M and 1.5 M sodium hydroxide solution respectively. The composites were produced using the compression molding technique. The morphological characterization of the fibers and composites for untreated and treated samples was studied with the aid of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Tensile and flexural properties of the produced composite samples were also determined. From the result, the surface morphology of the fiber after treatment showed that there was obvious exposure of the fiber surface and removal of impurities as this influenced the microstructure of the composites and in turn the tensile and flexural properties. Hence, it was observed that 20 wt.% treated jute fiber addition shows the most significant enhancements in terms of tensile and flexural properties. The study exposed the effect of surface modification of JF/OPPF hybridization on HDPE matrix composite.

Shear behavior of hollow clay brick masonry wallet coated with short jute fiber reinforced mortar

“…In addition to modifying the lumens, alkaline treatment leads to the partial removal of lignin and surface impurities (63), which are hydrophilic components of the fiber (hydroxyl groups -OH) with greater water absorption capacity. Indeed, the crystallinity index (CI) obtained from X-ray diffraction analysis, shown in Figure 8, indicates that the natural fiber had a CI value of 60.75%, consistent with findings in other studies (64,65), while the fiber subjected to alkaline treatment showed a CI value of 66.22%.…”

Optimization of the mechanical properties of polyester/coconut shell ash (CSA) composite for light-weight engineering applications

“…Polyester is regarded as a worthy material for automotive design due to its inexpensive cost 2,3 .In recent studies, additives are sourced and incorporated into polymer matrices using various processes to improve their properties [4][5][6][7] . Ceramic or synthetic fibers or particles are often being utilized as the additives with proven results [7][8][9][10] . Natural-derived ones, on the other hand, are more cost-effective.…”