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Effect of alkaline treatment of coir fibre on the interfacial adhesion in coir fibre-reinforced polylactic acid bio-composite
Date Issued
01-01-2023
Author(s)
Dange, Darshan
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
Abstract
The world is looking for alternate green, sustainable, eco-friendly and recyclable materials for synthetic materials in various applications. Green and economic composites can be manufactured using various types of lignocellulosic fibres. Coir fibres are one of the promising candidates due to their good mechanical and physical properties. The interfacial bonding between the fibre and polymer matrix restricts its applications and attempts are made to improve bonding using different surface treatments. The effect of alkaline treatment of coir fibre on the interfacial bonding between fibres and polylactic acid (PLA) matrix is analysed by a single fibre pull-out test in the current investigations. The fibres were alkaline treated with 5% NaOH aqueous solution for 48 h at room temperature. The alkaline treatment removes the surface impurities such as dirt particles, wax and a fraction of the lignin content from the micro pits present on the surface of the fibre, which makes the fibre surface rough and allows the mechanical interlocking to the polymer matrix. For the single fibre pull-out test, coir fibre was kept in between two additive-manufactured (AM) thin PLA sheets and compressed at 80 °C. The pull-out test was performed on the alkaline treated and untreated coir fibre using a universal testing machine. The alkaline treated fibre shows higher interfacial shear strength (IFSS) as compared to untreated fibres, which signifies the increase in the interfacial bonding and mechanical interlocking of fibre and matrix.