Title: Fractographic investigation of interfacial bonding of typha fiber reinforced epoxy composite

Abstract

Natural fibers have poor bonding compatibility with the polymer matrix, so it is necessary to conduct the chemical treatment. One of the most used treatments for the modification of natural fiber was the alkali treatment. Alkali treatment conducted to improve the compatibility of the bonds between the fibers and the matrix. This work aims to investigate the interfacial bonding between Typha fiber and epoxy matrix after going through impact testing. Untreated and alkali-treated fibers are prepared before being fabricated into composites. The fibers are immersed in a 5% NaOH solution for 1.The SEM observations revealed that the debonding fiber from the matrix is one of the main causes of the damage on composite and alkali-treated fiber has a stronger bonding condition than the untreated fiber. The rougher the fiber surface will be the better the interlocking mechanism of fibers and matrices. Alkali treatment plays important role in changing the roughness of the fiber surface. The untreated Typha fiber-reinforced epoxy composite occurs a lot of dislocation between the fibers and the matrix, which is many fibers are no longer embedded in the matrix, this phenomenon indicates that the composite has severe debonding and fibers pull-outs. Therefore, we can conclude that the alkali treatment process on Typha fiber has succeeded in improving the bonding mechanism of Typha fiber and epoxy matrix.

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