Characterization of Cocos nucifera L. peduncle fiber reinforced polymer composites for lightweight sustainable applications

Abstract

The present work aims to investigate the potentiality of reinforcing coconut tree peduncle fiber an agro-waste with unsaturated polyester resin, optimizing its mechanical properties and promote as an alternative reinforcement to harmful synthetic fiber polymer composites. It was found that polymer composites with 40 wt% fiber content exhibited maximum mechanical properties and started to decline on further addition of fibers due to lack of sufficient resin to wet the fibers leading to fiber pull-out and debonding under applied loads. This was also evidenced from the observed micrograph of specimen undergone tensile failure. In addition, the chemical bonding between the fiber and matrix was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared analysis. Also, the thermal stability was ascertained by the degradation temperature obtained through thermo-gravimetric analysis. Moreover, the water absorption study in fresh and seawater exposed the pseudo-Fickian behavior and aquatic properties of the developed composite, which was further confirmed by the crystalline size obtained through X-ray diffraction analysis. The above holistic analysis of the fabricated composite ensures its sustainable use in automotive and marine industries.