Effect of alfa fiber loading on the mechanical,physical and dielectric properties of epoxy-amine composite

Abstract

In this work, a varied content of alfa fiber was used as reinforcement and epoxy resin as matrix material. In order to eliminate the amorphous part of the alfa fiber, the fibers are treated with 5% of sodium hydroxide solution and their weight fraction is varied between 10% and 30%. Dielectric and water characteristics of different content of untreated and alkali treated alfa reinforced epoxy matrix is carried out in order to determine the role of cellulosic fibers in electrical field. Then, the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) is employed to analyze the chemical structure of epoxy resin before and after curing with amine hardener. FTIR and Differential Scanning Calorimetry analysis confirm that epoxy resin is completely cured with amine hardener at room temperature. For composites loaded with 30% treated and untreated alfa fiber, a decrease in tensile and dielectric properties has been obtained, this may be related to the random distribution of alfa fiber in the epoxy matrix. Scanning electron microscopy analysis highlight the microstructure of epoxy matrix and its composites. The bio composites elaborated on the basis of alfa fiber and epoxy matrix have good physical and dielectric properties can be applied in different fields.