Role of sugarcane bagasse biogenic silica on cellulosic Opuntia dillenii fibre-reinforced epoxy resin biocomposite: mechanical, thermal and laminar shear strength properties

This present study investigates the role of adding sugarcane bagasse biosilica (SBB) fine particle on Opuntia dillenii fibre (ODF)-reinforced epoxy resin composite and its mechanical, thermal and laminar shear strength properties. In this study, the biosilica particles were prepared from Indiana sugarcane bagasse via thermo-chemical process. The fibre and particles were silane surface-treated (SST) using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane via acid hydrolysis process. Hand layup was used to create the composites, which were then post-cured at 120 °C for 48 h. The composites were characterized using ASTM standards in order to evaluate the mechanical, thermal and laminar shear strength properties. The tensile strength of SST fibre and particle produced the highest strength of 178 MPa for 40 vol.% of fibre and 2 vol.% of particle in epoxy resin. Similarly, the SST fibre and particle retained high thermal stability than as-received fibre and particle in the composite. The laminar shear strength of SST fibre shows the highest value of 33 MPa against shear load. The SEM morphology shows highly adherence surface between SST fibre and resin. Thus, in the process of making biocomposites using plant-based fibres, the silane treatment is mandated in order to achieve high performance.