article · Results in Engineering
This research evaluates the use of Dracaena draco plant fibres, derived from agricultural waste, as reinforcement in a bio-epoxy matrix for sustainable structural materials. Fibres obtained from plant leaves through controlled retting were embedded into the resin at loadings of 10, 20, and 30 percent by weight. Mechanical and thermal testing demonstrated that higher fibre contents significantly enhanced material performance. A 30 percent fibre loading achieved a 126 percent increase in tensile strength, a 30 percent rise in Young modulus, and a 38 percent improvement in flexural strength relative to pure bio-epoxy. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated up to a 200 percent gain in storage modulus, alongside enhanced thermal stability up to 20 percent loading. However, water absorption rose significantly with increased fibre content, reaching over 55 percent at the highest reinforcement level due to the hydrophilic nature of the fibres.
Industries increasingly seek sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials to lower environmental impact and reduce weight. Repurposing agricultural waste fibres into bio-based resins provides a renewable approach to manufacturing robust composites. Demonstrating that these plant fibres significantly improve structural strength offers a practical pathway toward replacing petroleum-based components in engineering sectors.
The tested composite shows potential for use by manufacturers producing automotive lightweight panels, construction cladding and insulation, and aerospace interior structural components. This work represents early-stage, laboratory-tested materials development, demonstrating mechanical feasibility while highlighting that high water absorption remains a practical challenge to address before commercial deployment.
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In view of the increasing need for lightweight and sustainable materials, this study investigates the potential of Dracaena draco fibers ( Dd Fs), a plentiful agricultural waste, for use in a bio-epoxy (BE) matrix. This environmentally conscious method aims to enhance interfacial characteristics while reducing its negative impact on the environment. This work investigates the development of BE Dd f composites and evaluates their suitability for sustainable structural applications. Dd Fs were extracted from plant leaves through a controlled retting process and incorporated into a BE matrix at 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % weight fractions. The composites were characterized using tensile and flexural tests, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)- differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and water absorption (WA) tests. The results show that adding 30 % Dd F increased the tensile strength from 43.49 MPa (neat BE) to 98.50 MPa, a 126 % improvement, and raised Young’s modulus from 1.72 GPa to 2.23 GPa, a 30 % increase. Flexural strength improved by 38 % compared to neat BE, while DMA showed up to a 200 % increase in storage modulus. Thermal stability improved with fiber loadings up to 20 %, and FTIR confirmed strong chemical compatibility between the fiber and the matrix. WA increased with fiber content, reaching 55.12 % at a 30 % reinforcement level, reflecting the hydrophilic nature of Dd Fs. These findings confirm that Dd Fs are a promising reinforcement for BE, offering competitive performance compared to other natural fiber composites. Potential applications include lightweight panels in the automotive sector, cladding and insulation in construction, as well as interior structural components in the aerospace industry. By utilizing an underexplored plant fiber, this study contributes to expanding the portfolio of sustainable materials for structural engineering.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108444
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