Influence of Surface Modification on the Performance of Borassus Fruit Fiber Composites

摘要

The main objective of the current experimental work is to determine the mechanical properties of borassus fruit fiber (BFF)-based composites and compare the mechanical performance of composites fabricated with different chemically treated BFF. The BFF was treated with (a) sodium hydroxide (NaOH), (b) benzoyl chloride (C_6H_5COCL), and (c) acetyl chloride (CH_3COCL) and compared the surface morphology of the BFF with the assistance of SEM (scanning electron microscope) and FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy). The mechanical properties such as (a) tensile, (b) flexural, (c) hardness, (d) impact, and (e) water absorption behavior of the treated and untreated BFF-based composites are evaluated. The experimental findings infer that the mechanical properties of the BFF-based composites are better than the neat epoxy chosen for the purpose of investigation. The chemically treated BFF-based composites are found to have enhanced mechanical properties and reduced water absorption tendency than that of the untreated BFF-based composites. SEM examination shows that the acetylation treated BFF-based composites has the more surface roughness and thus the excellent mechanical properties and less water absorption tendency among all the chemically treated and untreated BFF-based composites.