Improving the Mechanical and Interfacial Properties of Bhendi Fiber via Chemical Surface Treatments

Year : 2025 | Volume : 03 | Issue : 01 | Page : 22 32
    By

    Haydar U. Zaman,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, National University of Bangladesh and Institute of Radiation and Polymer Technology, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box-3787, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Because of its primary benefits—moderate strength and stiffness, low cost, and being a renewable, degradable, and ecologically friendly material—natural fibers are believed to have potential use as reinforcing agents in polymer composite materials. Due to their inherent hydrophilicity, they have a tendency to retain moisture, which can impair or soften the fibers’ adhesion to the surrounding matrix. This can have an impact on the performance of composite materials used in environments with high relative humidity, particularly when temperatures are high. Fiber surface treatments are commonly used to strengthen the connection between the fibers and matrix. In order to increase the mechanical, morphological, and structural characteristics of Bhendi fibers’ compatibility with polymer matrix, the effects of alkali, silane, and combination alkali and silane treatments were investigated. By using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination, it was demonstrated that the saline and alkali treatments were successful in removing contaminants from the fiber surfaces. Silane-treated Bhendi fibers have fewer impurities, lignin, and hemicelluloses removed than those treated with other chemicals, according to the SEM morphological study of treated Bhendi fibers. The droplet test findings show that the fibers treated with alkali and alkali-silane had better interfacial stress strength, whereas the Bhendi fiber treated with silane had the highest interfacial stress strength. The development of high-performance Bhendi fiber reinforced polymer composites for industrial applications is anticipated to be aided by fiber treatments.

Keywords: Bhendi fiber, epoxy resin, chemical treatments, tensile properties, droplet test, fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion

[This article belongs to International Journal of Advance in Molecular Engineering ]

How to cite this article:
Haydar U. Zaman. Improving the Mechanical and Interfacial Properties of Bhendi Fiber via Chemical Surface Treatments. International Journal of Advance in Molecular Engineering. 2025; 03(01):22-32.
How to cite this URL:
Haydar U. Zaman. Improving the Mechanical and Interfacial Properties of Bhendi Fiber via Chemical Surface Treatments. International Journal of Advance in Molecular Engineering. 2025; 03(01):22-32. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijame/article=2025/view=198307


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 03
Issue 01
Received 13/12/2024
Accepted 05/01/2025
Published 14/02/2025
Publication Time 63 Days
201

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