The effects of alkali treatment on the mechanical and morphological properties of Pennisetum purpureum/glass-reinforced epoxy hybrid composites

• Main Authors: Mohd Jamir, Mohd Ridzuan, Abdul Majid, Mohd Shukry, Sulaiman, Mohd Hafis, Khasri, Azduwin
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Taylor and Francis Ltd. 2017
• Subjects: TP1080 Polymers, plastics and their manufacture
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/85680/2/85680_The%20effects%20of%20alkali%20treatment%20on%20the%20mechanical%20and%20morphological%20properties_SCOPUS.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/85680/8/85680_The%20effects%20of%20alkali%20treatment.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/85680/; https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14658011.2017.1368966?journalCode=yprc20; https://doi.org/10.1080/14658011.2017.1368966

The effects of alkali treatment on the mechanical properties, void contents and morphological of Pennisetum purpureum/glass-reinforced epoxy hybrid composites were studied. The composites were produced using the vacuum infusion method. Pennisetum purpureum fibres were treated with 5 and 10% dilute sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution for 6 h. The epoxy resin was mixed with either the treated or untreated Pennisetum purpureum/glass fibres to a ratio of 70:30 (by volume). Tensile and flexural tests were performed on the composites in accordance with ASTM D638 and ASTM D790, respectively. The hybrid composites that contained 5% NaOH-treated Pennisetum purpureum fibres exhibited the greatest tensile and flexural strengths with lower void contents. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy fractography supported the findings showing lesser voids and fibre pull-outs suggesting good interfacial bonding between the matrix and reinforcement. The reduced of the void contents is suspected due to the reduced hemicellulose content within the treated Pennisetum purpureum fibre.