article · Industrial Crops and Products
This research evaluates the performance of eco-friendly composite materials made by reinforcing a bio-epoxy matrix with fibres from the Syagrus romanzoffiana palm. Formulations containing 10, 20, and 30 percent fibre by weight were tested to examine their thermomechanical characteristics and moisture behaviour. Incorporating more fibres significantly strengthened the material, with the 30 percent loading achieving a tensile strength of 83.21 MPa and a flexural strength of 47.54 MPa. Higher fibre contents also improved thermal stability, increased crystallinity, and raised the peak decomposition temperature, while showing effective fibre dispersion and strong bonding. Nevertheless, greater fibre content raised water absorption because of the plant material's hydrophilic nature. Consequently, loadings between 10 and 20 percent were found to provide the most suitable balance between mechanical durability and moisture resistance.
Manufacturers seeking to lower environmental impacts often look for plant-based alternatives to synthetic reinforcing materials. This work demonstrates that palm fibres can effectively reinforce bio-based plastics, improving strength and heat resistance. Identifying the optimal fibre ratio helps engineers prevent moisture-related degradation while developing more sustainable composite components.
The findings could enable the development of sustainable composite materials for industries seeking alternatives to synthetic fibres. Manufacturers of bio-based plastic products could utilise these formulations, with the optimal 10 to 20 percent loading mitigating moisture risks. The research remains at an early-stage laboratory level, focused on material formulation and physical testing rather than specific product prototyping or commercial scale-up.
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This research explores the creation of eco-friendly biocomposites by combining a bio-epoxy matrix with fibers from the Syagrus romanzoffiana plant ( Sr F). To reduce dependence on synthetic materials, composites with 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % fiber by weight were produced and evaluated. The results demonstrated that higher fiber loadings substantially improved mechanical properties; the composite with 30 % Sr F reached a tensile strength of 83.21 MPa and a flexural strength of 47.54 MPa. Analyses confirmed that increased fiber content also enhanced thermal stability, shifted the decomposition peak to a higher temperature, and raised the material's crystallinity. Spectroscopic and microscopic techniques pointed to strong interfacial bonding and effective fiber dispersion at moderate loadings. However, a drawback of higher fiber content was increased water absorption due to the natural fibers' hydrophilic nature. The study concludes that composites containing 10–20 % Sr F offer the optimal compromise between enhanced mechanical performance and acceptable moisture resistance, positioning Syagrus romanzoffiana fibers as a viable and sustainable reinforcement for bio-based polymers.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.122384
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