Thermal Conductivity Characterization of Natural Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

摘要

In recent years, researchers are taking much interest innatural fibers because of their low weight, low cost,biodegradability, and sustainability to the environment. Thesubstitution of synthetic fibers with natural plant based fibershas been taken a keen interest in various applications inautomobile, construction, aerospace, and sports industry.There are various types of plant origin fibers, for instance,coir, pineapple, banana, sisal, wheat straw, bagasse, etc.Various combinations of these natural fibers with differentthermosetting, thermoplastic, and biodegradable polymerswere developed and characterized for their differentproperties for specific application. Among all these fibers,the highest cellulose content is observed in pineapple leaffibers, i.e. 70-80%. In this research paper, pineapple leaffibers were used to reinforce with epoxy resin before andafter surface treatment with alkali. Thermal conductivity ofthese composites were analysed for their automobile andelectrical applications where thermal insulation or poorconductivity is required. Thermal conductivity of compositesdecreases with the increase in fiber content in the compositesbecause of the poor conductivity of natural fibers incompared to epoxy polymer. So, with the increase in theconcentration of natural fibers, it starts decreasing. The samefactor applies true for alkali concentration, with the increasein alkali concentration, the hemicellulose and lignin contentof natural fibers decreased or totally removed, which resultsin further more concentration of cellulosic material incomposites which again helps in poor conductivity ofcomposites. Scanning Electron Microscope of thesecomposites shows the better compatibility after mercerizationprocess.