Evaluation of mechanical and physical properties of pressed coir fiber/epoxy composite with NaOH and microwave treatment of fiber

Abstract

In this study, the influence of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment and microwave treatment of coir fibers on the mechanical and physical properties of pressed coir fiber/epoxy composite were evaluated. The composite was fabricated with a hand lay-up method with compression molding. Before composite fabrication, pressed coir fiber was treated with NaOH and microwave treatments. Mechanical testing (tensile, flexural, and impact testing) of the composite was conducted. Then, water absorption and thickness swelling testing are also performed. The fractured composite surface morphology after the tensile test was analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that tensile, flexural, and impact strengths of composite tend to increase after NaOH treatment of coir fiber followed by microwave treatment for 10 and 20 minutes of exposure time compared to untreated fiber. However, for NaOH treatment, the tensile, flexural and, impact strengths of composite reduce. The reducing of the tensile strength of the composite is due to the agglomeration fiber occurred, which is displayed in the SEM micrograph. Furthermore, microwave treatment of fiber for 10 minutes and NaOH treatment followed by microwave treatment for 20 minutes of exposure time decreases the water absorption and thickness swelling of the composite.

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