Hemp fiber surface modification: Its effect on mechanical and tribological properties of hemp fiber reinforced epoxy composites

• Published in: Polymer composites Vol. 42; no. 10; pp. 5223 - 5236
• Main Authors: Behera, Sudhakar, Gautam, Rakesh Kumar, Mohan, Sunil, Chattopadhyay, Arghya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.10.2021; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Chemical treatment; epoxy composites; Fiber composites; Fiber reinforced polymers; Fourier transforms; Hemp; hemp fibers; Hydrogen peroxide; Infrared analysis; Infrared imagery; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Scanning electron microscopy; Sodium carbonate; Surface roughness; Tensile strength; tribological properties; Tribology; Water absorption; Water resistance
• ISSN: 0272-8397; 1548-0569
• DOI: 10.1002/pc.26217

In this research work, the effects of sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide treatment of hemp fiber on the water absorption, mechanical, and tribological properties of hemp fiber reinforced epoxy composites (HFREC) were investigated. The change in surface roughness and fiber size after chemical treatment was confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed the removal of hemicellulose and lignin content of the fiber after both the chemical treatment. X‐ray diffraction analysis showed an increase in the crystallinity index of the chemically treated fiber. The experimental results also revealed that both sodium carbonate and peroxide modification have resulted in enhancement of water resistance and mechanical properties such as tensile strength and tensile modulus and reduction in impact properties of treated HFREC. Tribological test results revealed that the treated HFREC have improved wear and frictional properties in comparison with untreated HFREC. The best tribological and mechanical properties were exhibited by peroxide treated HFREC, which was also confirmed through the SEM images of worn and fractured surfaces of the composites. Hemp fiber was subjected to sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide treatment to investigate the effect of the chemical treatments on the mechanical and tribological properties of hemp fiber reinforced epoxy composites.