Extraction and Characterization of Natural CASCABELA Thevetia Bast Fibers: A Potential Candidate as Reinforcement in Epoxy Composites

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to explore the potential of CASCABELA thevetia (CT) bast fibers as reinforcement in polymer composites. For this purpose, the extracted fibers were chemically treated with various chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, potassium permanganate, sodium chlorite, and benzoyl chloride. After surface modifications, its physical and mechanical properties, chemical composition, and structure were studied. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed an increase in crystallinity index of the fibers as compared to untreated fibers with benzoyl chloride treated fibers showing the optimum result which agrees with the results obtained in the mechanical tests. Composites were fabricated by taking various wt.% of benzoyl chloride treated CT fibers in an epoxy matrix (i.e. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt%) and their mechanical and wettability tests were carried out. It was observed that composites with 20 wt% of fiber loading show the highest mechanical properties (52.79 MPa tensile strength, 2.45 GPa Young’s modulus, 71.72 MPa flexural strength). All the fabricated composites showed contact angle less than 90°, which is associated with composite hydrophilic surface properties. These composites can be utilized in lightweight structural material and in automobile industries owing to its better properties.

摘要

本研究的目的是探索CASCABELA thevetia（CT）韧皮纤维在聚合物复合材料中作为增强材料的潜力. 为此，提取的纤维用各种化学物质进行化学处理，如氢氧化钠、高锰酸钾、亚氯酸钠和苯甲酰氯. 对其表面改性后的物理力学性能、化学成分和结构进行了研究. X射线衍射（XRD）结果显示，与具有苯甲酰氯处理的纤维的未处理纤维相比，纤维的结晶度指数增加，显示出与机械测试中获得的结果一致的最佳结果. 采用环氧基中不同重量%的苯甲酰氯处理的CT纤维（即5、10、15、20、25和30 wt%）制备复合材料，并对其机械性能和润湿性进行了测试. 观察到，纤维负载量为20 wt%的复合材料显示出最高的机械性能（52.79MPa的拉伸强度、2.45GPa的杨氏模量、71.72MPa的弯曲强度）. 所有制备的复合材料都显示出小于90°的接触角，这与复合材料的亲水表面性质有关. 这些复合材料由于具有更好的性能，可用于轻质结构材料和汽车工业.

KEYWORDS:

• CASCABELA thevetia
• chemical treatment
• chemical composition
• mechanical properties
• thermal stability
• wettability

KEYWORDS:

• 化学处理
• 化学成分
• 机械性能
• 热稳定性
• 润湿性

Highlights

• The CASCABELA thevetia (CT) fibers were successfully extracted from the bast of the stem by a retting process.

• The fibers were undergone through various chemical treatments which enhanced the exposure of cellulose on the fiber surface.

• Benzoylation treated fibers revealed better mechanical properties as compared to untreated and other treated CT fibers.

• Composites were successfully fabricated reinforcing benzoylation treated CT fibers in an epoxy matrix. 20 wt% of fiber loading reveals the highest mechanical properties as well as the lowest contact angle, indicating a smoother surface.

• All the composites exhibited contact angles lower than 90° which is associated with composite hydrophilic surface properties.

• CASCABELA thevetia (CT) fibers can be a potential candidate for reinforcement in fabrication of polymeric composites.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).