This study investigates the mechanical, thermal, moisture absorption, and morphological properties of epoxy composites reinforced with silane-treated Dracaena reflexa microfibers and silane-treated Citrus medica leaf-derived cellulose particles. Hybrid composites were fabricated and evaluated to determine the influence of treated natural reinforcements on overall composite performance. Among the formulations, specimen EMC2 exhibited the most balanced and superior properties. EMC2 achieved a tensile strength of 127 MPa, flexural strength of 141 MPa, impact energy of 3.36 J, and hardness of 83 Shore-D compared with neat epoxy. The composite also showed improved thermal conductivity of 0.37 W/mK and reduced water absorption of 1.54%. These enhancements are attributed to improved fiber-particle-matrix interaction, effective stress transfer, crack deflection mechanisms, and reduced interfacial defects resulting from silane treatment and uniform filler dispersion. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a compact fracture morphology with uniform reinforcement distribution and strong interfacial bonding in EMC2, supporting the observed improvements in mechanical and functional properties. Overall, the results demonstrate that silane-treated natural reinforcements can effectively enhance the performance of epoxy-based hybrid composites, highlighting their potential for sustainable high-performance material applications.
SivakumarNSThangarasuVSSoundararajanR, et al.Mechanical and machining behavior of betel nut fiber/leather/chitin-toughened epoxy hybrid composite. Biomass Convers Biorefinery2023; 13(5): 4365–4372. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-02994-0
2.
SumeshKRKanthavelKKavimaniV. Machinability of hybrid natural fiber reinforced composites with cellulose micro filler incorporation. J Compos Mater2020; 54(24): 3655–3671. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021998320918020
3.
ManimaranPSaravananSPSanjayMR, et al.Characterization of new cellulosic fiber: dracaena reflexa as a reinforcement for polymer composite structures. J Mater Res Technol2019; 8(2): 1952–1963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2018.12.015
4.
AlshahraniHVrAP. Mechanical, wear, and fatigue behavior of alkali-silane-treated areca fiber, RHA biochar, and cardanol oil-toughened epoxy biocomposite. Biomass Convers Biorefinery2024; 14(5): 6609–6620. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-02691-y
5.
KhanSHDhakalHNSaifullahA, et al.Improved mechanical and thermal properties of date palm microfiber-reinforced PCL biocomposites for rigid packaging. Molecules2025; 30(4): 857. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30040857
6.
BinojJSJaafarMMansinghBB, et al.Comprehensive investigation of Areca catechu tree peduncle biofiber reinforced biocomposites: influence of fiber loading and surface modification. Biomass Convers Biorefinery2024; 14(18): 23001–23013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04182-0
7.
ManonmaniVArunKumarDSM, et al. Development of porous biocarbon from waste wild jack husk for enhanced EMI shielding and mechanical performance in wheat straw microfiber-reinforced vinyl ester composites. Fibers Polym. 2025; 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-025-00982-5
8.
AlshahraniHPrakashVA. Mechanical, thermal, viscoelastic and hydrophobicity behavior of complex grape stalk lignin and bamboo fiber reinforced polyester composite. Int J Biol Macromol2022; 223: 851–859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.10.272
9.
KalhoriFYazdyaniHKhademorezaeianF, et al.Enzyme activity inhibition properties of new cellulose nanocrystals from citrus medica L. pericarp: a perspective of cholesterol lowering. Luminescence2022; 37(11): 1836–1845. https://doi.org/10.1002/bio.4360
10.
AlshahraniHPrakashVA. Effect of silane-grafted orange peel biochar and areca fibre on mechanical, thermal conductivity and dielectric properties of epoxy resin composites. Biomass Convers Biorefinery2024; 14(6): 8081–8089. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-02801-w
11.
SivakumarVKaliappanSNatrayanL, et al.Effects of silane-treated high-content cellulose okra fibre and tamarind kernel powder on mechanical, thermal stability and water absorption behaviour of epoxy composites. Silicon2023; 15(10): 4439–4447. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-023-02370-1
12.
KaliappanSVelumayilRNatrayanL, et al.Mechanical, DMA, and fatigue behavior of Vitis vinifera stalk cellulose Bambusa vulgaris fiber epoxy composites. Polym Compos2023; 44(4): 2115–2121. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.27228
13.
MahakurVKBhowmikSPatowariPK. Impact of silanization on the characterization of Corchorus olitorius particle‐based composites for sustainable applications. Polym Int2024; 73(4): 270–279. https://doi.org/10.1002/pi.6589
14.
AlshahraniHPrakashVA. Characterisation of nanocellulose from Waste Pisum sativum sheath and its sunn Hemp Fibre-Polyester composite: a step towards valorisation of biomass. Waste Biomass Valoriz2025; 16(4): 1999–2010. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-024-02794-9
15.
ShettigarSGowrishankarMCShettarM. Review on aging behavior and durability enhancement of bamboo fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Molecules2025; 30(15): 3062. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153062
16.
SivaperumalMKumarJSNatrayanL, et al.Characterization of Pearl Millet Husk Biosilica and Areca Microfibre toughened polyvinyl alcohol flexible food packaging composite. Journal of the Australian Ceramic Society2025; 61(3): 1189–1199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41779-025-01152-9
17.
DasRSahuDPAyyappanV, et al. MWCNTs modified epoxy composites reinforced with Kapok fiber: mechanical and vibrational Study for automotive applications. Polym Compos. 2025; pc.70487. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.70487
18.
SuneshNPSenthamaraikannanPDivakaranD, et al.Detailed analysis and characterisation of microcrystalline cellulose derived from Ocimum tenuiflorum leaves. Biomass Convers Biorefinery2025; 21: 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-025-06645-y
19.
PuneethrajHPSharmaSKiniUA, et al.Impact of fiber treatment and nanoclay addition on water soaking effects of coir fiber reinforced epoxy composites. J Mater Res Technol2025; 39: 6286–6299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2025.11.032
20.
TamilvendanDRavikumarARThirumalaiR. Parametric optimization in drilling of sisal–glass reinforced epoxy composites using Taguchi grey relational analysis method. Trans Can Soc Mech Eng2024; 48(3): 469–476. https://doi.org/10.1139/tcsme-2024-0018
21.
KimGHChoYSShinGH, et al.Effect of silane surface treatments on the interfacial shear strength between Cotton Yarn and Poly(Lactic acid) resin. Materials2025; 18(19): 4582. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18194582
22.
RajeshkannanSSivakumarAMariappanM, et al.Performance evaluation of PET foam and areca fruit fibre reinforced modified cellulose-vinyl ester composite on thermal and water ageing conditions. Waste Biomass Valoriz2025; 16(4): 1911–1925. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-024-02753-4
23.
SafitriLSuwartaPRisantiDDCharacterization of alkali and silane treated ramie yarn fibers as sustainable reinforcement for polymer composite. Mater Lett2025; 393: 138577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2025.138577
24.
LakshmaiyaNRajaTYuvarajanD. Effect of silane-treated jute/sisal cellulose reinforcement on the mechanical, tribological, and hydrophobic behavior of polyester composites. Cleaner Engineering and Technology2025; 29: 101122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2025.101122
25.
DiharjoKAndokoASoedarsonoJW, et al.Enhanced composite performance: evaluating silane treatment on Cordia dichotoma fibers. Results Eng2025; 25: 104260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.104260
26.
WagayeBTAbrahaKGGuoJ. Dipodal silane‐treated ramie woven matt reinforced polylactic acid biocomposites for improved mechanical and thermal properties. Polym Compos2025; 46(5): 4159–4174. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.29230
27.
TharanitharanGSaravananCRajaP, et al.Investigation of temperature and water aging effects on epoxy composites reinforced with natural fibers and surface-modified cellulose filler. Polym Bull2025; 82(10): 4621–4647. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-025-05682-x
28.
NorSSSallehMM. Superhydrophobic all-cellulose composite via Hexadecyltrimethoxysilane and HDTMS/Silica. Surf Rev Lett2025; 32(10): 2450126. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0218625X24501269
