Natural fabric of Hildegardia populifolia composites

Abstract

The influence of Hildegardia populofolia fabric content, fabric orientation, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and silane coupling agent treatment on the surface properties of the fabric, mechanical and fracture properties of Hildegardia populifolia-polycarbonate toughened epoxy composites was investigated using Instron and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the presence of NaOH and silane coupling agent treatment has an effect on the mechanical properties of composites. In the presence of surface treatment with NaOH and coupling agent, the tensile, and flexural and impact properties of the composites increases substantially, for tensile modulus 15.35%, flexural modulus 30.46% and impact strength 22.67%. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictures obtained from fractured surfaces were used for a qualitative evaluation of the interfacial properties of composites. The surface analysis of the fabric was (treated and untreated) characterised by polarized optical microscope (POM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The good bonding between fibre and matrix was observed (SEM) in the presence of NaOH and coupling agent.