This research investigates the mechanical, wear and thermal behaviour of vinyl ester composites reinforced with Hemp and agave fiber and heat treated biosilica introducing a novel combination of surface modified biosilica and Hemp and agave hybridization to enhance multifunctional performance. The work further explores the influence of biosilica surface treatment on improving interfacial adhesion and property optimization. The results demonstrate that both untreated and treated biosilica significantly enhance tensile, flexural, impact, hardness, wear resistance and thermal conductivity compared to the neat vinyl ester. Among all formulations, the surface treated 3 vol. % biosilica composite (VTR2) exhibited the best overall performance achieving a tensile strength of 160.3 MPa, flexural strength of 220 MPa, impact strength of 4.8 J, hardness of 90 shore D, superior wear resistance with a specific wear rate of 0.0018 mm3/Nm, coefficient of friction of 0.42 and the highest thermal conductivity of 0.325 W/mK. These results confirm that heat treated and surface modified biosilica plays a crucial role in strengthening the composite microstructure and improving multifunctional properties.
YangYMiaoZLiuY, et al.A comprehensive review of fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composites under low-velocity impact. Mech Adv Mater Struct2025; 33(1): 2458772. https://doi.org/10.1080/15376494.2025.2458772
2.
NiknejadEJafariRValipour MotlaghN. Mechanical properties of biodegradable fibers and fibrous mats: a comprehensive review. Molecules2025; 30(15): 3276. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153276
3.
YavuzMTOzkolI. Thermal structural design aspects of military aircraft. Journal of Aeronautics and Space Technologies2024; 17(1): 124–158.
4.
HuYGaoYTanB, et al.Comparative study on flexural performances of carbon fiber reinforced polymers with micro‐, micro‐/nano‐, and nano‐sized aramid fiber interlayers. Polym Compos2025; 46(7): 6241–6253. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.29356
5.
JambhulkarTSahuRK. Modelling and optimization of hybrid Kevlar/glass fabric reinforced polymer composites for low-velocity impact resistant applications. Forces in Mechanics2024; 15: 100267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.finmec.2024.100267
6.
AhmadHShahAURAfaqSK, et al.Development and characterization of kevlar and glass fibers reinforced epoxy/vinyl ester hybrid resin composites. Polym Compos2024; 45(9): 8133–8146. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.28329
7.
HossainSSharifulIMIslamMA, et al.Effect of silicon carbide on enhancing interfacial adhesion and mechanical properties of Kevlar-glass fiber hybrid composites. Hybrid Adv2025; 11: 100534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hybadv.2025.100534
8.
RajaTDevarajanY. Study on the mechanical and thermal properties of aramid fibre reinforced with sawdust particulates in an epoxy matrix composite: a novel material for structural applications. Polym Int2024; 73(12): 1063–1070. https://doi.org/10.1002/pi.6685
9.
SathishTSaravananR. Investigation on mechanical properties of Kevlar fiber and Al2O3 – SiC used nano-polymer composite. J. Environ. Nanotechnol2024; 13(2): 154–159. https://doi.org/10.13074/jent.2024.06.242641
10.
VelmuruganGChohanJSVelumayilR, et al.Driving into the future: Nano graphene and silicon dioxide enriched Kevlar composites for automotive applications. Silicon2024; 16(9): 3873–3890. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-024-02977-y
11.
TaiyeMAHafidaWKongF, et al.A review of the use of rice husk silica as a sustainable alternative to traditional silica sources in various applications. Environ Prog Sustain Energy2024; 43(6): e14451. https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.14451
DharmavarapuPJatavallabhulaJKSravanthiC, et al.Influence of silane surface treated aramid fiber and nanosilica on mechanical, fatigue, fracture toughness, and dynamic mechanical behavior of epoxy composites. Proc IME B J Eng Manufact2025; 240(4): 09544054251326122. https://doi.org/10.1177/09544054251326122
14.
SoltaninejadSTohidlouEKhosraviH. Effect of CNTs/nano‐TiO2 hybrid system on the drop‐weight impact response of Kevlar fiber/epoxy composites. Polym Compos2023; 44(6): 3425–3434. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.27331
15.
SuyambulingamISundaramRSDivakaranD, et al.Isolation of microcrystalline cellulose from vegetable waste biomass and its potential as a high-performance green reinforcement in biocomposites. Bioresour Technol Rep2025; 32: 102337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2025.102337
16.
AlshahraniHPathinettampadianGGujbaAK, et al.Effect of palmyra sprout fiber and biosilica on mechanical, wear, thermal and hydrophobic behavior of epoxy resin composite. J Ind Textil2022; 52: 15280837221137382. https://doi.org/10.1177/15280837221137382
17.
PrabuRYuvarajGSatthiyarajuM. Influence of heat treated fox tail millet husk biosilica on dynamic properties of nettle fibre-reinforced vinyl ester composite. Polym Bull2024; 81(16): 14957–14974. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-024-05378-8
18.
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
19.
AmarTAKumarAYadavDK. A comparative study on the properties of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites developed by hand layup and vacuum bagging molding techniques. J Inst Eng: Series D2025; 106(1): 263–275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40033-023-00631-2
20.
XuJGWangLHuH, et al.Achieving the hydrophobic alteration by functionalized nano-silica for improving shale hydration inhibition. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp2024; 702: 135167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2024.135167
21.
LiuMWangSCaoM, et al.Enhanced interfacial properties of FMLs through nanofiller integration and surface modification. Polym Compos2025; 46: 14899–14914. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.30099
22.
LiuFFanCWangB, et al.Comparative study of interfacial debonding mechanism of fiber pull-out in magnesium phosphate cementitious composites. J Build Eng2025; 102: 111901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.111901
23.
ZhangMMaDWangJ, et al. Enhancing interfacial bonding in metal matrix composites: challenges, methods, and future prospects. Crit Rev Solid State Mater Sci. 2025; 1–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408436.2025.2542367
24.
WeiFWeiYYaoX, et al.Review: enhancing bond strength of heterogeneous metal-polymer components the perspective of surface micro-nano morphology construction. J Mater Sci2025; 60: 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-025-10795-9
25.
JeongSJLimHS. Advanced strategies for thermal conductivity enhancement in polymer composites for application as thermal management materials. Macromol Res2025; 33: 553–568. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13233-025-00377-8
26.
HooiveldERijndersLvan der MeerB, et al.Self-stratification and phase separation in drying binary colloidal films. J Colloid Interface Sci2025; 679: 324–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2024.10.102
