Investigating the Mechanical, Thermal, and Crystalline Properties of Raw and Potassium Hydroxide Treated Butea Parviflora Fibers for Green Polymer Composites

The only biotic factor that can satisfy the needs of human species are plants. In order to minimize plastic usage and spread an immediate require of environmental awareness, the globe urges for the development of green composite materials. Natural fibers show good renewability and sustainability and are hence utilized as reinforcements in polymer matrix composites. The present work concerns on the usage of Butea parviflora fiber (BP), a green material, for high end applications. The study throws light upon the characterization of raw and potassium hydroxide (KOH)-treated Butea Parviflora plant, where its physical, structural, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties are analyzed using the powder XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, FESEM micrographs, tensile testing, Tg-DTA, Thermal conductivity, Chemical composition, and CHNS analysis. The density values of untreated and KOH-treated fibers are 1.238 g/cc and 1.340 g/cc, respectively. The crystallinity index of the treated fiber has significantly increased from 83.63% to 86.03%. The cellulose content of the treated fiber also experienced a substantial increase from 58.50% to 60.72%. Treated fibers exhibited a reduction in both hemicelluloses and wax content. Spectroscopic studies registered varying vibrations of functional groups residing on the fibers. SEM images distinguished specific changes on the raw and treated fiber surfaces. The Availability of elements Carbon, Nitrogen, and Hydrogen were analyzed using the CHNS studies. The tensile strength and modulus of treated fibers has risen to 192.97 MPa and 3.46 Gpa, respectively. Thermal conductivity (K) using Lee's disc showed a decrement in the K values of alkalized BP. The activation energy Ea lies between 55.95 and 73.15 kJ/mol. The fibers can withstand a good temperature of up to 240 °C, presenting that it can be tuned in for making sustainable composites.

Recent Development in the Processing, Properties, and Applications of Epoxy-Based Natural Fiber Polymer Biocomposites

Growing environmental concerns have increased the scientific interest in the utilization of natural fibers for the development of epoxy biocomposite materials. The incorporation of one or more fibers in the production of hybrid epoxy polymer composites has been a subject of discussion. It is interesting to acknowledge that natural/synthetic fiber hybridized epoxy composites have superior properties over natural/natural fiber hybridized epoxy composites. Significant efforts have been devoted to the improvement of natural fiber surface modifications to promote bonding with the epoxy matrix. However, to achieve sufficient surface modification without destroying the natural fibers, optimization of treatment parameters such as the concentration of the treatment solution and treatment time is highly necessary. Synthetic and treated natural fiber hybridization in an epoxy matrix is expected to produce biocomposites with appreciable biodegradability and superior mechanical properties by manipulating the fiber/matrix interfacial bonding. This paper presents a review of studies on the processing of epoxy natural fiber composites, mechanical properties, physical properties such as density and water absorption, thermal properties, biodegradability study, nondestructive examination, morphological characterizations, and applications of epoxy-based natural fiber biocomposites. Other aspects, including a review of variables that enhance the mechanical and functional performance of epoxy/natural fibers composites while also increasing the biodegradability of the composite material for environmental sustainability, were presented. The future research focus was elucidated. It is hoped that this review will stimulate and refocus research efforts toward advancing the manufacture of epoxy/natural fiber composites to meet the growing demand for biocomposite materials in the global world.

Mechanical Behaviour of Alkali-Treated Fabric-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites

Polyethylene (PE) was used as a composite material to create a fabric containing 40% pineapple, 30% jute, and 30% cotton fibres by weight. The physical characterisation is carried out, like deterioration and water absorption tests. PE-based composites were shown to have a lower water absorption rate when dipped in deionized water to perform an absorption test. Fabric/PE composites decomposed slowly in the soil during the degradation test. Alkali solution of 5 percent, 7 percent, and 9 percent sodium hydroxide by weight for 60 minutes was studied as alkali impact mechanical characteristics: mechanical testing’s like tensile strength and modulus, elongation at break, bending strength, and modulus. Data investigation exposed that the tensile strength and modulus, elongation at break, bending strength, and composite modulus values were 64 MPa and 871 MPa, 23.14 percent, 45 MPa, and 512 MPa. There were tensile strength and modulus, elongation at break, bending strength, and modulus of the neat polyethylene sheet that were 32Mpa and 342 MPa, 79 percent, 22 MPa, and 234 MPa, respectively. Compared to a polyethylene sheet, composite values for tensile strength and modulus, bending strength, and modulus raised by 107%, 156%, 110%, and 115% as a result of fabric reinforcing.

Experimental Studies on the Performance of Graphene Oxide Based Hybrid Nanopolymers for Bearing Applications

In this experimental study, graphene oxide-blended glass-filled nylon (GO-GFN) hybrid nanopolymer composites were developed and characterized. Transmission electron microscopic studies were performed to study the dispersion of graphene oxide in glass-filled nylon composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analyses were conducted on the fabricated hybrid nanopolymer composites to analyze the mechanical and thermal stability. Mechanical properties were investigated by tensile test. The test showed improvements in young’s modulus and tensile strength. Water absorption test was conducted to study the water absorption resistance of the hybrid nanopolymer composites. Finally, roller bearings with graphene oxide and glass-filled nylon were fabricated and analyzed for wear under varying load and speed conditions in the test rig developed in-house. The tests proved the suitability of deploying hybrid nanopolymer composites for bearing applications.