article · International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization
Napier grass fibre strands can serve as reinforcing agents within an epoxy resin matrix to produce composite materials. Treating the grass fibre strands with an alkali solution improves their surface characteristics prior to fabrication using hand lay-up moulding. Testing of varying fibre loadings demonstrates that incorporating 20 weight per cent of Napier grass fibre strands yields the highest mechanical performance, including tensile, flexural, and impact properties. This specific loading also provides superior chemical resistance, reflecting optimal bonding and interfacial adhesion between the fibre strands and the resin matrix. Microscopic evaluation of fractured and worn surfaces confirms strong interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the reinforcement. Furthermore, composites reinforced with alkali-treated fibres display enhanced resistance to both water absorption and chemical exposure compared to composites made with untreated fibre strands.
Natural plant fibres offer a renewable alternative to synthetic reinforcements in composite material manufacturing. Identifying the precise fibre loading and surface treatment needed to maximise structural strength and chemical durability helps advance the practical viability of bio-based composites. This work demonstrates that alkali-treated Napier grass can effectively reinforce epoxy resins while offering improved resistance to water and environmental degradation.
This work is early-stage laboratory research demonstrating the mechanical feasibility of using alkali-treated Napier grass fibres in epoxy composites. Potential users include manufacturers seeking bio-based composite formulations for structural or chemically exposed parts. While the composites show good tensile, flexural, and chemical properties at a 20 weight per cent loading using hand lay-up moulding, the abstract does not indicate specific product applications, industrial scaling, or testing outside laboratory conditions.
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Napier grass fiber strands were used as reinforcement to obtain composites with epoxy resin as matrix. To improve the surface, these fiber strands were treated with alkali solution. The composites were prepared by means of hand lay-up molding, then the effects of Napier grass fiber strand loading on mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact, interfacial bonding, and chemical resistance were investigated. The composite with 20 wt.% Napier grass fiber strands gives excellent mechanical properties and chemical resistance, showing that it has the best bonding and adhesion of the composites. SEM micrographs of fractured and worn surfaces clearly demonstrate the interfacial adhesion between fiber and matrix. Alkali-treated Napier grass fiber strand–reinforced composites have better resistance to water and chemicals than the untreated fiber strand composites.
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DOI: 10.1080/1023666x.2014.954186
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