Utilization of Chemically Modified Novel <i>Urena Lobata</i> Fibers as Reinforcement in Polymer Composites – an Experimental Study

Abstract

In the present research work, chemically modified Urena lobata (UL) fibers have been reinforced in epoxy resin matrix for fabrication of natural fiber polymer composite. The extracted fibers have been chemically modified with different concentration of NaOH (i.e. 4%, 5%, 6%, and 7%) and characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). From the tensile test results it has been found that 6% NaOH treated fiber gives maximum tensile strength. Composites have been fabricated using various weight percentages of treated fibers as reinforcement in epoxy resin and their mechanical and thermal properties have been evaluated. From the results it has been observed that 20 wt% of fiber loading gives optimum properties.