Effect of alkaline treatment on mechanical properties of natural fiber-reinforced composite

Natural fiber-reinforced composites are gaining popularity as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics across various industries. This study investigated the fabrication of composites using areca leaves as the reinforcing filler material within an epoxy matrix. The composites were prepared using the hand-layup technique, with different weight fractions of fibers. Before composite fabrication, the areca leaves were treated with NaOH solution. A comprehensive set of tests, including tensile, compression, flexural, impact, and erosion tests, was conducted on these composites to evaluate their mechanical properties. The results showed that untreated composites exhibited superior performance in tensile (39 MPa) and compression tests (59 MPa with 45 % fiber content), while NaOH-treated composites performed better in flexural (64-67 MPa) and impact tests (21 kJ/m2 at higher fiber content). Erosion testing revealed that composites with lower filler concentrations demonstrated improved wear resistance compared to those with higher filler content, with erosion rates significantly influenced by sand concentration and particle size. These findings were supported by fracture surface analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This study provides valuable insights into the potential of areca leaf-reinforced composites as sustainable materials for various applications.