Mechanical and Thermal Analysis of Nito Fiber Reinforced Composites

Abstract:

Fiber optimization is one of the key factors in fabricating fiber-reinforced composites. A higher amount of fiber loading does not correspond to improved mechanical and thermal properties of composites. Consequences such as poor fiber wetting, formation of voids, and delamination may arise due to the lower amount of matrix at higher fiber loading. In this study, the loading percentage of nito fibers were varied from 5, 10, and 15 wt%. The mechanical and thermal analysis showed that the composite with the lowest fiber loading percentage showed a better performance compared to the two composites with higher fiber loading. The tensile strength of the said composite increased by 3 MPa while the onset of degradation temperature increased by 30.91°C. The SEM micrographs confirmed that the composites with higher fiber loading percentage suffered poor wettability which resulted in poor adhesion of the fiber to the matrix. The micrographs of the composite with 5 wt% showed a superb fiber-matrix bonding which resulted in a more seamless transfer of heat and stress upon heat and load application. These results proved that optimization of fiber loading percentage is an integral step to fabricate an improved composite material.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 1094)
• Pages: 11-17
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-0UILbz
• Online since: July 2023
• Authors: Rhaye Stephen B. Sosa, Jeremiah C. Millare*
• Keywords: Fiber Loading Percentage, Fiber Reinforced Composite, Natural Fiber, Nito Fiber, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Tensile Test, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

References

[1] Kabir MM, Wang H, Lau KT, Cardona F. Chemical treatments on plant-based natural fibre reinforced polymer composites: An overview. Compos Part B Eng. Elsevier Ltd; 2012; 43: 2883–92.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2012.04.053

[2] Bledzki AK, Gassan J. Composites reinforced with cellulose based fibers. Prog Polym Sci [Internet]. 1999;24:221–74. Available from: http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0079670098000185/1-s2.0-S0079670098000185-main.pdf?_tid=af34542c-0260-11e7-a49c-00000aab0f27&acdnat=1488800173_c95596c7ddcc4673fe88c8ec84262bb9

[3] Rout J, Misra M, Tripathy SS, Nayak SK, Mohanty AK. The influence of fibre treatment on the performance of coir-polyester composites. Compos Sci Technol. 2001;61:1303–10.

DOI: 10.1016/s0266-3538(01)00021-5

[4] Jeyapragash R, Srinivasan V, Sathiyamurthy S. Mechanical properties of natural fiber/ particulate reinforced epoxy composites - A review of the literature. Mater Today Proc [Internet]. Elsevier Ltd.; 2020;22:1223–7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr. 2019.12.146

DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2019.12.146

[5] He Y, Wu D, Zhou M, Liu H, Zhang L, Chen Q, et al. Effect of MoO3/carbon nanotubes on friction and wear performance of glass fabric-reinforced epoxy composites under dry sliding. Appl Surf Sci [Internet]. Elsevier; 2020;506:144946. Available from:

DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2019.144946

[6] Barrena MI, Gómez De Salazar JM, Soria A, Cañas R. Improved of the wear resistance of carbon nanofiber/epoxy nanocomposite by a surface functionalization of the reinforcement. Appl Surf Sci. 2014;289:124–8.

DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2013.10.118

[7] Ding J, Rahman O ur, Peng W, Dou H, Yu H. A novel hydroxyl epoxy phosphate monomer enhancing the anticorrosive performance of waterborne Graphene/Epoxy coatings. Appl Surf Sci [Internet]. Elsevier B.V.; 2018;427:981–91. Available from:

DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.08.224

[8] Vinod A, Sanjay MR, Suchart S, Jyotishkumar P. Renewable and sustainable biobased materials: An assessment on biofibers, biofilms, biopolymers and biocomposites. J Clean Prod [Internet]. Elsevier Ltd; 2020;258:120978. Available from:

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120978

[9] Shukla N, Devnani GL. A review on mechanical properties of hybrid natural fiber polymer composites. Mater Today Proc [Internet]. Elsevier Ltd.; 2021;45:4702–5. Available from:

DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.01.122

[10] Sathish S, Karthi N, Prabhu L, Gokulkumar S, Balaji D, Vigneshkumar N, et al. A review of natural fiber composites: Extraction methods, chemical treatments and applications. Mater Today Proc [Internet]. Elsevier Ltd.; 2021; Available from:

DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.12.1105

[11] Lakshmi Narayana V, Bhaskara Rao L. A brief review on the effect of alkali treatment on mechanical properties of various natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. Mater Today Proc [Internet]. Elsevier Ltd.; 2021;44:1988–94. Available from:

DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.12.117

[12] Joseph P V., Joseph K, Thomas S, Pillai CKS, Prasad VS, Groeninckx G, et al. The thermal and crystallisation studies of short sisal fibre reinforced polypropylene composites. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf. 2003;34:253–66.

DOI: 10.1016/s1359-835x(02)00185-9

[13] Srinivasa CV, Bharath KN. Effect of Alkali Treatment on Impact Behavior of Areca Fibers Reinforced Polymer Composites. Int J Mater Mettalurgical Eng. 2013;7.

[14] Prabhu L, Krishnaraj V, Sathish S, Gokulkumar S, Karthi N, Rajeshkumar L, et al. A review on natural fiber reinforced hybrid composites: chemical treatments, manufacturing methods and potential applications. Mater Today Proc. Elsevier Ltd; 2021;45:8080–5.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.01.280

[15] Liu M, Meyer AS, Fernando D, Silva DAS, Daniel G, Thygesen A. Effect of pectin and hemicellulose removal from hemp fibres on the mechanical properties of unidirectional hemp/epoxy composites. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf [Internet]. Elsevier Ltd; 2016;90:724–35. Available from:

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2016.08.037

[16] Madsen B, Thygesen A, Lilholt H. Plant fibre composites - porosity and stiffness. Compos Sci Technol [Internet]. Elsevier Ltd; 2009;69:1057–69. Available from:

DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2009.01.016

[17] Cruz J, Fangueiro R. Surface Modification of Natural Fibers: A Review. Procedia Eng. Elsevier B.V.; 2016;155:285–8.

DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2016.08.030

[18] Sosa RS, Millare J. Alkali treatment and Characterization of Nito Fiber. Mapua University; 2022.

[19] Deo C, Acharya SK. Effect of moisture absorption on mechanical properties of chopped natural fiber reinforced epoxy composite. J Reinf Plast Compos. 2010;29:2513–21.

DOI: 10.1177/0731684409353352

[20] Zin MH, Abdan K, Norizan MN. The effect of different fiber loading on flexural and thermal properties of banana/pineapple leaf (PALF)/glass hybrid composite [Internet]. Struct. Heal. Monit. Biocomposites, Fibre-Reinforced Compos. Hybrid Compos. Elsevier; 2018. Available from:

DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-08-102291-7.00001-0