Mechanical, morphological, structural and dynamic mechanical properties of alkali treated Ensete stem fibers reinforced unsaturated polyester composites

Tolera A. Negawo, Yusuf Polat, Feyza N. Buyuknalcaci, Ali Kilic, N. Saba, M. Jawaid*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

116 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Present study deals the surface morphology and structural composition analysis of alkali (NaOH) treated 2.5% 5.0% and 7.5 wt% Ensete stem fiber obtained from the Ethiopian Ensete ventricosum plant. Treated Ensete fibers reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) composites were characterized in terms of tensile, flexural, surface morphology and dynamic mechanical properties. Mechanical test results revealed that 5.0 wt% alkali treated Ensete fibers/UP composites showed 14.5% and 43.5% increase in flexural strength and Young's modulus respectively, with relative to untreated Ensete fibers/UP composites. Storage and loss modulus value also highest for 5.0 wt% alkali treated Ensete fibers/UP composites. Moreover, a positive shift in glass transition temperature (Tg) of composites after alkali treatment and tensile fracture surface morphology indicates better interfacial interaction in treated Ensete fibers/UP composites. Overall we concluded that 5.0 wt% treated Ensete fibers satisfactorily and effectively improved mechanical, morphological and dynamic properties of UP for various engineered and hi-tech applications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)589-597
Number of pages9
JournalComposite Structures
Volume207
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

  • Alkali treatment
  • Dynamic mechanical properties
  • Ensete fibers
  • Glass transition temperature
  • Mechanical test
  • Unsaturated polyester resin

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