Mechanical, wear, hydrophobic, and thermal behavior of waste cassava root cellulose and twill-weaved banana fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester composites

In this research, hydrophobic polyester composites were made from cassava root cellulose (CRC) and twill-weaved banana fiber (TBF). The primary goal of this research was to develop a sustainable cellulosic material in micro dimension from the roots of the cassava plant and examine the load-bearing properties of composites made out of that. The cellulose-toughened banana fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester composite was prepared using the hand layup method and cured in room temperature. It is observed that the load-bearing properties are improved with the addition of banana fiber and cellulose. The highest tensile strength of 137.3 MPa, flexural strength of up to 164.2 MPa, interlaminar shear strength of up to 5.87 GPa, Izod impact of up to 5.94 J, and hardness of up to 83 Shore-D were achieved for the composite made using 4 vol% of cellulose. Similarly, the composite had the lowest sp. wear rate of 0.011 mm3/Nm with COF of 0.171 for 4 vol% of cellulose addition. Moreover, all the composite designations were found to have a water absorption contact angle greater than 70 degrees, indicating a retained hydrophobic nature. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) fractography demonstrated that 4 vol% CRC and TBF-reinforced polyester composites have superior bonding and durability. Finally, the thermal properties of composites revealed an improved set temperature of 424 degrees C in TGA as well as 82 degrees C in DSC for 4 vol% cellulose-added composite PCB3. These properties improved composites could be used in aerospace, automotive, military, and industrial sectors where higher mechanical strength, wear resistance, and hydrophobicity.