Fabrication, Mechanical Characterization and Interfacial Properties of Okra Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Abstract

In this study, an attempt has been taken to manufacture okra fiber (OF) composites with varying the fiber content ranging from 25-65% on total weight of the composites and polypropylene (PP) was preferred as matrix material. To fabricate the composites untreated and mercerized fibers were selected. A systematic study was done to observe the mechanical behaviors of the composites such as tensile, impact and bending properties. It was found that treated (mercerized) fiber composites exhibited improved mechanical properties than that of untreated fiber composites. Maximum tensile strength (TS) and bending strength (BS) was examined 38.5 MPa and 72.5 MPa respectively, whereas the highest tensile modulus (TM) and bending modulus (BM) was observed 675 MPa and 5.4 GPa respectively. The optimum impact strength (IS) and hardness value was found to be 22.87 KJ/m2 and 97 (Shore-A) for mercerized fiber composites containing 45% fiber. The composite samples were exposed to different intensities of γ radiation (2.5 kGy–10.0 kGy) and found significant improvement in the mechanical properties up to 5.0 kGy dose. Water absorption, degradation properties due to heat and soil medium of the composites were also performed. The interfacial property was examined by Microscopic Projector and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and found that the interfacial bonding between matrix material and fiber was enhanced due to the treatment of fibers which authenticate the found mechanical characteristics of the composites.