Effect of fiber loading on the mechanical properties of bagasse fiber–reinforced polypropylene composites

Abstract

It is evident that sugarcane/bagasse is a highly potential natural composite fiber. In this study, the correlation of composition fiber amount to the mechanical strength was presented. Bagasse was treated with alkali and then reinforced in polypropylene by means of hot pressing. Fiber loading was set to be varied from 10 to 20 wt%. Composite samples were subjected to tensile, hardness, and flexural characterization. Composites with 30 wt% of fiber loading registered maximum tensile strength while with 10 wt% fiber loading registered the minimum. Hardness increases with the amount of fiber. Flexural strength and flexural modulus were found to be greater than original polypropylene. Scanning electron microscopy examination revealed the mechanisms of the strength gain in morphological point of view. The findings give manufactures and engineers a sound basis decision whether to apply the use of this composite for weight reduction especially in automotive applications or not.

Flexural and Izod Impact Properties of Sugarcane Powder Reinforced Epoxy Composite

“…This might due to the maximum limit of 15 vol% has caused the saturated condition as resulted for 20 vol% specimen as it was unable to receive more load and finally fracture occurred. This results is comparable as reported by Subramonian [17] where claim the highest flexural strength of sugarcane/bagasse fiber composite content of Polypropylene (PP) with 10wt% of the filler was 57MPa, meanwhile the flexural strength then decreases with increasing filler where the lowest was 44.44MPa for PP with 40wt% filler.…”

“…Sugarcane has the most significant amount of worldwide production than other natural fibers, due to their various benefits it can be to society [4]. Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites have been studied intensively as alternative to synthetic fibers (glass fiber).…”

“…The disadvantages of polymer composites material reinforced by synthetic fibers associated some environmental and health problems. The natural fibers over synthetic fiber offer unique properties of low density, biodegradability, healthy environmentally, easy of separation, easy availability, enhanced energy recovery, non-corrosive nature, low cost, good thermal and acoustic insulation properties [4]. There are multiple types of natural fibers have been studied to be used as reinforcement in polymer composites such as Hemp, kenaf, ramie, sugar palm, oil palm, pineapple leaf, banana pseudo-stem, sugarcane, rice husk, wood, and bamboo are some examples of natural fibers…”

Structural Changes of Bagasse dusring the Homogeneous Esterification with Maleic Anhydride in Ionic Liquid 1-Allyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride

“…For example, bagasse ash was used as reinforcing fillers in thermoplastic materials, which had similar properties of commercial silica [5]. Polypropylene matrix composites reinforced with bagasse fiber showed increased mechanical properties by hot compression [6]. Additionally, poly (vinyl alcohol) blended with bagasse seemed to improve the biodegradation propensity [7].…”

Development of Entada Mannii Fiber Polypropylene Matrix Composites for Light Weight Applications

“…Prescence of the evenly distributed fiber in the matrix trends to slow down the nucleation of the crack in the fiber-matrix interphase and hence increases hardness of the composites. Subramonian et al [27] reported that, hardness of the fiber reinforced composites increases due to resistance of the composites to deformation increases .This composites surface gave a better resistance to plastic deformation in the transverse direction of the fiber. The increase in hardness is a result of increase in the hard and brittle phase of fiber [28].…”