Investigating Influences of Synthesizing Eco-Friendly Waste-Coir-Fiber Nanofiller-Based Ramie and Abaca Natural Fiber Composite Parameters on Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Clean technology-based natural fiber composite fabrication is the prime aim of this piece of research. Natural fibers highly replace metal usage in industries and automobile, marine, medical applications, and so on. Vast amounts of natural fibers are freely available in all areas. In this research, work nanofiller material such as nano form waste coir fiber is collected from used car seat. The 10 wt.% of nanofiller material is added to the preparation of natural nanocomposites (ramie and abaca fiber). Hybrid composites are fabricated with the influence of different process parameters, namely, fiber weight percentage (20 wt.%, 30 wt.%, 40 wt.%, and 50 wt.%), NaOH action % (4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%), compression pressure (9 MPa, 12 MPa, 15 MPa, and 18 MPa), and temperature (100°C, 120°C, 140°C, and 160°C). Furthermore, the strength of this hybrid composite has analyzed by conducting flexural, impact, and shore hardness tests. These tests have provided the influence of selected parameters and their effects on the results of experimental work. In the flexural analysis, 6% of NaOH action has offered maximum flexural strength of the specimens. Correspondingly in the impact test, 30 wt.% of fiber is produced higher impact strength. Finally, applying 15 Mpa of compression pressure records the maximum shore hardness.

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1. Introduction

Nowadays, the environment-friendly composite invention is most indispensable. The utilization of waste is encouraged by clean technology. This research focuses on the used (waste) coir fibers in nano form as filler for fabricating the natural fiber composites. Many industries like to use natural fibers for their production parts and encourage research-oriented analysis in utilizing natural fiber. Composite fabrication is one of the novelty work in engineering fields and also in science-applied projects. Compared to metal matrix composites, polymer matrix composites are light in weight and used in different automobile, aircraft, and marine applications. Recently, the marine boats had produced by fiber amalgamation to ensure the lightweight of the boat structure [1]. In contrast to synthetic fiber, the guaruman fiber is one of the cheapest fibers and is extremely used in all applications. This fiber is highly applicable in biomedical applications; it possesses high strength and biodegradability and is easy to renewable [2]. The flax fiber quality and its strength have been analyzed through the tensile test. The tensile strength is highly improved, as the maximum tensile strength has been found (865 MPa) by using flax fiber with epoxy resin [3]. Natural fibers are replaced glass fiber in several applications based on the properties such as physical and mechanical. This natural fiber is eco-friendly, low cost, and biodegradable. Fly ash is the best filler material in all-natural fibers, especially in banana fiber with reinforced polyester. Various percentage of fly ash has influenced to improve the mechanical strength, namely tensile, flexural, and affect. Adding fly ash filler material is to reduce the moisture absorption resistance of the natural fiber composites. This result has been found by using a scanning electron microscope [4]. Different natural fibers, namely, birch, palm, and eucalyptus fibers, produce the hybrid composites with the help of epoxy resin. Composites are prepared by using resin transfer moulding and moulded fiber making practice amalgamation. Higher tensile stress has been registered (45.28 MPa) by using eucalyptus reinforced epoxy composites. Similarly, in bending stress, the maximum bending stress of 79.92 MPa has been observed [5]. Based on the industrial applications and high demand, industrialists have turned towards consuming natural fibers instead of synthetic polymers. Most of the automotive and wood industries focus on natural fibers, namely, jute, hemp, sisal, kenaf, bamboo, cotton, flax, abaca, coir, and so on. Now, research has moved to analyze the strength of the natural fibers in contrast to synthetic fibers [6]. Chemical treatment of the fibers is enhanced the mechanical properties; few investigations are concentrated on the chemical treatment of the fibers. Natural fibers of jute, sisal, and kenaf have been considered for preparing hybrid composites using epoxy resin. The composites are prepared by implementing of hand lay-up method. In hybrid composites preparation, the mixing range of resigning and fibers are 30% and 70%, respectively. Always the mechanical tests have been conducted with consideration of ASTM standards. In each mechanical test, the fracture analysis has conducted through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) [7]. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment is excellent for improving the mechanical properties of banana fibers. The different percentages have been considered such as 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9% of NaOH. Chemically treated and untreated banana fibers have been tested by applying Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) to categorize the chemical compounds present in the fibers. The morphological investigation has been carried out by using of scanning electron microscope [8]. Biocomposites of the banana-pineapple leaf are fabricated using epoxy resin. The banana-pineapple fibers have been used in different weight percentages such as 30 wt.%, 40 wt.%, and 50 wt.%. They analyzed the strength of the composites through the three-point flexural test. From this test, the results have concluded the 40 wt.% of fibers offered the maximum flexural strength of the composites. Increasing both compaction pressure and packing of fibers are introduced to the failure of the composites. The thermal steadiness of the composites has been analyzed by applying thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests [9]. This research work is planned and executed to analyze the mechanical strength of the nano-sized waste-coir-fiber-filled natural-fiber polymer-matrix composites. Two natural fibers, namely, ramie and abaca, have been used for the preparation of the composites. Epoxy resin is taken to prepare the composites with different parameters that are accounted. The outcome of this research work has focused on flexural strength, impact strength, and shore hardness.

2. Materials and Methods

The two natural fibers were procured for this investigation, namely, ramie and abaca; both are high strength and high stiffness fibers [10–12]. The ramie fiber was purchased from the Fiber Region, Chennai, and the abaca fiber is purchased from Vruksha Composites, Chennai. Both the fibers were procured in kilogram; Figure 1 illustrates the natural fibers of ramie and abaca. Waste coir fibers have collected from the used sofa, bed, and car seat as a sample, and they were brominated in a bath of saturated bromine water. Then they were treated with the use of stannous chloride solution as suggested by [13]. The treated waste coir fibers were dried well. The processed waste coir fibers grounded well to less than 30 nm size. The ball mill has been used to mix the waste coir nanofibers with the resin to obtain uniform distribution of nanofillers.

[figure omitted; refer to PDF]

Natural fibers are cleaned well, and using compression molding, the hybrid composites are produced with the influence of different process parameters [14–16]. The Taguchi route was implemented to find the superior mechanical properties, namely, flexural strength, impact strength, and shore hardness of the composites. Mostly, the composites are produced by using a polymer matrix. This matrix is commonly used for producing composites with the assistance of resin solution. Using resin matrix, the listed properties of the composites are identified such as high strength, little amount of shrinkage, improved adhesion properties, good electrical property, chemical resistance, and low toxicity.

2.1. Experimental Procedure

In the initial stage, the fibers are cleaned thoroughly with the help of running water; furthermore, the fibers are processed by chemical treatment. This work considered the chemical treatment with the influence of sodium hydroxide solution. Chemical action was carried out with a different percentage of using NaOH solution such as 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%. Using distilled water in a beaker, mix different weight percentages of NaOH solution, such as 4 wt. percent, 6 wt. percent, 8 wt. percent, and 10 wt. percent. This process was used to remove the waste substance; wax segment and a few of the hemicelluloses were present in the fibers for improving the crystalline property of the matrix composites [17–19]. The chemical processing is maintained at room temperature with 2 hrs of soaking time for complete cleaning of the fibers. After chemical treatment, the fibers were again washed and permitted to dry condition; furthermore, the fibers are heated well in the oven. The heating process was carried out with a temperature of 80°C and for a period of 4 h [20]. The chemical treatment increased the chemical composition of the fibres, which had 40.3 percent cellulose, 32.5 percent hemicelluloses, and 20.0 percent total lignin before chemical treatment. After chemical treatment, the chemical composition of the fibers is altered such as 82.4% of cellulose, 5.2% of hemicelluloses, and 8.4% of total lignin. Before conducting chemical treatment, the density of the fiber is 1.17 g/cm³; after chemical treatment, the density of the fiber is 1.29 g/cm³. All the fibers were hacked for the length of 10 mm uniformly; blended ramie and abaca with different weight percentages (20 wt.%, 30 wt.%, 40 wt.%, and 50 wt.%) were placed in the mould. The mould was made of steel material; the raw mould specimen was prepared under the dimension of 250 mm × 250 mm × 5 mm [21–24]. Epoxy resin was poured as the matrix material into the blended fiber in the steel mould at the required weight percentage. The compression process has been carried out with different pressure ranges such as 9 MPa, 12 MPa, 15 MPa, and 18 MPa. The temperature was maintained during the compression process such as 100°C, 120°C, 140°C, and 160°C. Fabrication of fibers was concentrated to the different parameters with the concern of Taguchi analysis; Table 1 presented the process parameters for fabrication of hybrid composites. The density of the prepared composite is 1.218 g/cm³; similarly, the void fraction is observed (0.612%).

Table 1

Process parameters for fabrication of hybrid composites.

Factors	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Fiber (wt.%)	20	30	40	50
NaOH action (%)	4	6	8	10
Compression pressure (MPa)	9	12	15	18
Temperature (°C)	100	120	140	160

The flexural test was conducted through a three-point loader arrangement in the universal testing machine (UTM) with ASTM standard (ASTM D790) as shown in Figure 2. The UTM (Universal Grip Company, Salem) has 5 KN capacity and load cell arrangements [25]. The operating speed for the flexural test was 2 mm/min for the polymer composite material. A flexural test specimen was prepared under the dimensions of 150 mm × 15 mm × 5 mm [26–28].

[figure omitted; refer to PDF]

Impact test was conducted by using of impact tester with Charpy mode; the ASTM D 256 standard procedure was applied for the impact test [29]. The dimensions of the impact test were prepared such as 50 mm × 10 mm × 5 mm; model of the impact test machine was ASR-XJJ-11. The pendulum energy range was 2.75 J, 5.5 J, and 11 J, and the test angle was 150°. Figure 3 illustrates the image of impact test specimens [30].

[figure omitted; refer to PDF]

Hardness is one of the mechanical properties that has to ensure the resistance to indentation; normally, the hardness of the MMCs was measured by Rockwell or Brinell hardness tester [31]. This investigation considers the shore D hardness tester for measuring the hybrid composites (Linear Instruments, Chennai). Shore D hardness was applied to take hardness reading from the composites in multiple numbers and finally average it (see Figure 4).

[figure omitted; refer to PDF]

Low compression pressure (9 MPa) offered excellent flexural strength; growing the compression pressure can decrease the flexural strength. The low temperature of the process provided low flexural strength; maximum temperature levels such as 130°C recorded extreme flexural strength.

Figure 7 shows the interval plot of flexural strength analysis; this plot highly enlightens all parameters influences in a single hand. From this plot, the maximum flexural strength was obtained (78.29 MPa) with an influence of 50 wt.% of fiber, 6% of NaOH action, 15 MPa of compression pressure, and 100°C of temperature.

[figure omitted; refer to PDF]

Figures 8–11 demonstrate the surface plot for flexural strength analysis. Figure 8 presented the correlation between fiber weight percentage and NaOH action; in this relation, the 50 wt.% of fiber and 6% of NaOH action were registered as the highest flexural strength. Figure 9 exemplified the relationship between compression pressure and NaOH action; it was concluded that the maximum flexural strength was attained by the way of 9 MPa of compression pressure and 6% of NaOH action. Figure 10 illustrates the connection between temperature and compression pressure; this informs that higher flexural strength was recorded by100°C of temperature and 15 MPa of compression pressure. Figure 11 shows the association between fiber weight percentage and temperature; this correlation proved that 30 wt.% of fiber and 130°C of temperature offered excellent flexural strength.

[figure omitted; refer to PDF]

Figure 14 illustrates the interval plot of impact strength examination; this plot extremely informed every parameter’s influences in the same plot for easy to understand. From this plot, it is clear that the highest impact strength was registered as 26.58 kJ/m². The maximum impact strength was attained with the influence of 50 wt.% of fiber, 4% of NaOH action, 18 MPa of compression pressure, and 110°C of temperature.

[figure omitted; refer to PDF]

Figures 15–18 reveal the 3D Trajectory plot for impact strength investigation. Figure 15 illustrates the connection between fiber weight percentage and NaOH action; for this relation, the 50 wt.% of fiber and 4% of NaOH action were recorded as the maximum impact strength. Figure 16 illustrates the correlation between compression pressure and NaOH action; it is resulted from the greatest impact strength that was obtained by the way of 15 MPa of compression pressure and 6% of NaOH action. Figure 17 shows the link between temperature and compression pressure; this report to superior impact strength was registered by 110°C of temperature and 18 MPa of compression pressure. Figure 18 shows the relationship between fiber weight percentage and temperature; this connection confirmed the 50 wt.% of fiber and 110°C of temperature that offered exceptional impact strength.

[figure omitted; refer to PDF]

Figure 21 represents the interval plot of shore D hardness inspection; this plot exceptionally informed the influence of each parameter in the same plot for simple to understand. From this plot, it is clear that the maximum shore D hardness was found (72 HD). This maximum shore D hardness was obtained with the influence of 40 wt.% of fiber, 10% of NaOH action, 12 MPa of compression pressure, and 100°C of temperature.

[figure omitted; refer to PDF]

Figures 22–25 show the contour plot for shore D hardness analysis. Figure 22 shows the correlation between fiber weight percentage and NaOH action; for this interaction, the 30 wt.% of fiber and 10% of NaOH action produced the maximum hardness values. Figure 23 illustrates the relationship between compression pressure and NaOH action; it was notified that the maximum shore D hardness was obtained incidentally of 12 MPa of compression pressure and 10% of NaOH action. Figure 24 represents the connection between temperature and compression pressurea temperature of 100°C and a compression pressure of 12 MPa resulted in higher hardness. Figure 25 demonstrates the correlation of fiber weight percentage and temperature; this correlation confirmed that the 40 weight percentage of fiber and 100°C of temperature presented excellent hardness values.

[figure omitted; refer to PDF]

Figure 26 illustrates the 2D and 3D profilometric images of the flexural test specimen. The SEM image was converted into a profilometric image; the uneven blending of epoxy resin with fiber was represented in pink color. In Figure 27, the epoxy resin was homogeneously mixed into the fibers; it can be reflected in greenish yellow color in the impact test samples. Both the images were concluded the blending of fiber and epoxy resin in a uniform manner.

[figure omitted; refer to PDF][figure omitted; refer to PDF]

4. Conclusion

The environment-friendly clean technology-based natural fiber composite fabrication was focused on in this piece of research. The cheap and best natural fibers and nanofillers from waste coir are utilized to fabricate compression moulding. The compression moulding parameters such as temperature and compression pressures were varied at four levels. The fiber quality by NaOH treatment as well as quantity of fiber content also varied at four levels. The nano-sized treated waste coir filler was utilized at a fixed weight percentage. The widely and cheaply available natural fibers such as ramie and abaca were used to prepare the natural fiber composites effectively in the matrix of epoxy resin. The composite samples were fabricated as per Taguchi design of experiment L16. The samples were tested for mechanical characteristics such as flexural strength, impact strength, and shore hardness; the findings of this investigation were summarized below:

(i) From the flexural analysis, the highest flexural strength was found (78.29 MPa). Maximum flexural strength was attained by concerning different sets of parameters such as 50 wt.% of fiber, 6% of the chemical action of NaOH solution, 15 MPa of compression pressure, and 100°C of temperature. In the flexural test, the optimal parameters were found such as 50 wt.% of fiber, 6% of NaOH action, 9 MPa of compression pressure, and 130°C of compression temperature.

(ii) In the impact strength analysis, the maximum impact strength was registered (26.58 kJ/m²). The superior impact strength was accomplished by relating to different parameters, namely, 50 wt.% of fiber, 4% of the chemical action of NaOH solution, 18 MPa of compression pressure, and 110°C of temperature. The impact test concluded that the optimal parameters were obtained such as 30 wt.% of fiber, 6% of NaOH action, 15 MPa of compression pressure, and 130°C of compression temperature.

(iii) From the shore hardness analysis, the maximum shore D hardness was found (72 HD). The enhanced shore D hardness was obtained parenthetically of involving the parameters, specifically 40 wt.% of fiber, 10% of the chemical action of NaOH solution, 12 MPa of compression pressure, and 100°C of temperature. In shore D hardness test, the optimal parameters were found such as 40 wt.% of fiber, 10% of NaOH action, 15 MPa of compression pressure, and 100°C of compression temperature.

Disclosure

This research was performed as a part of the employment of Arba Minch University, Ethiopia.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Bharath Institute of Higher Education, Chennai, India; KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, India; Saveetha School of Engineering, Chennai, India; and Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sakunthala R & D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, for providing facilities and support to complete this research work. The authors also appreciate the support from Dankook University, 119, Dandae-ro, Cheonan, South Korea, and Minch Institute of Technology (AMIT), Arba Minch University, Ethiopia. This project was supported by Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP-2021/332) King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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