Description:KENAF FIBRE REINFORCED EPOXY COMPOSITES WITH ANNONA SQUAMOSA POWDER
Field of Invention
The present invention pertains to the examination of the mechanical properties of kenaf fibre reinforced epoxy composites with annona squamosa powder
Background of the Invention
The process of preparing kenaf fibres for employment in composite materials generally entails multiple stages. The first step involves the removal of the outer bark, after which a mechanical processing stage is carried out to eliminate impurities and short fibres. Subsequently, the fibres undergo a drying process and are compacted into bales to facilitate their storage. Kenaf fibres present several benefits when compared to conventional reinforcement materials such as glass and carbon fibres (US10676615B2). One of the advantages of utilising kenaf fibre is its cost-effectiveness, as the production process is comparatively economical. Kenaf is considered an environmentally conscious alternative due to its renewable nature and sustainable properties. Additionally, the cultivation of kenaf does not necessitate the application of pesticides or herbicides. The kenaf fibres demonstrate noteworthy strength and durability, coupled with a low weight profile, rendering them apt for applications that require sensitivity to weight. The versatile applications of composites derived from kenaf fibres can be employed across diverse fields. The utilisation of Kenaf fibre composites is a viable option in the production of various automotive components, including but not limited to door panels, dashboards, and seat backs. The utilisation of Kenaf fibre composites as a substitute for traditional building materials such as roofing tiles, siding and decking is a promising prospect (US20150376298A1). The utilisation of Kenaf fibre composites in the manufacturing of packaging materials such as food containers and shipping boxes is feasible. Kenaf fibre composites exhibit promising characteristics for application in the production of furniture, including chairs, tables, and desks. Kenaf fibre composites have the potential to be utilised in the manufacturing of diverse sports equipment, such as golf clubs, tennis rackets, and baseball bats (US10676615B2). To sum up, it can be inferred that kenaf fibre composites present a number of benefits in comparison to traditional reinforcement materials. The aforementioned advantages render them a persuasive substitute for a diverse array of use cases across various sectors. The incorporation of fillers is deemed essential in augmenting the mechanical and thermal characteristics of fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) while simultaneously mitigating material expenses. The utilisation of bio-derived fillers presents a favourable attribute of being ecologically sustainable and economically feasible. Several research studies have explored different categories of fillers that originate from sustainable sources, such as biochar, wood flour, wood charcoal, coconut shell powders (CSP), among others. .
Summary of the Invention
In light of the above mentioned drawbacks in the prior art, the present invention aims to examine the mechanical properties of kenaf fibre reinforced epoxy composites with annona squamosa powder.
A further specific objective of the invention is to assess the tensile, and felxural strength of the composites through the utilisation of established ASTM test protocols.

Brief Description of Drawings
The invention will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures wherein:
Figure 1 Graphical representation of Tensile test results of untreated and treated fibres
Figure 2 Graphical representation of Flexural Strength of untreated and treated fibres
Figure 3 Graphical representation of Flexural Strength of untreated fibre, treated fibre and matrix modified
Detailed Description of the Invention
The application of NaOH treatment on Kenaf fibres has been observed to considerably enhance their tensile characteristics. The alkaline treatment of natural fibres, such as Kenaf, is a common practice that involves the use of NaOH (sodium hydroxide). The surface roughness of Kenaf fibres can be enhanced through an alkaline treatment utilising NaOH. The intervention perturbs the hydrogen bonds present in the fibre architecture, thereby inducing alterations in the surface morphology. The augmentation of surface roughness results in an improvement of the interfacial adhesion between the fibres and the matrix material. The load vs displacement curve for untreated and treated fibres is provided in Figure 1. The process of eliminating impurities from the surface of fibres involves the utilisation of NaOH as a depolymerizing agent during alkaline treatment. The process of partially removing lignin, oils, wax, and other substances that coat the outer section of the fibre cell wall leads to the attainment of cleaner and purer fibre surfaces. The depolymerization of cellulose within fibres can be induced through treatment with NaOH, resulting in the exposure of crystallites of reduced length. The aforementioned alteration in structure amplifies the fiber's capacity to transmit load and enhances its overall strength. The morphology of Kenaf fibres undergoes notable alterations as a result of the alkaline treatment with NaOH. The fibre surface undergoes modifications as observed through microscopic analysis, including heightened roughness, elimination of coatings, and enhanced fibre integrity. The application of NaOH treatment on Kenaf fibres has been observed to augment their tensile strength. The enhancement of interfacial bonding and overall strength of fibres is attributed to the disruption of hydrogen bonds, elimination of impurities, and depolymerization of cellulose. The enhancement of the tensile modulus is observed subsequent to the NaOH treatment, which is indicative of an improvement in the fibres' stiffness or rigidity. The augmentation of surface roughness and enhancement of fibre integrity result in amplified load transfer and heightened resistance to deformation. The optimisation of treatment parameters is a critical factor in determining the degree of enhancement in tensile properties. Specifically, the concentration and duration of the NaOH treatment are key factors that play a significant role in this regard. Research has demonstrated that in order to attain the highest possible improvement in both tensile strength and modulus, it is necessary to establish the ideal NaOH concentration and treatment duration. In general, the utilisation of NaOH for alkaline treatment of Kenaf fibres is a viable approach for enhancing their tensile characteristics. The aforementioned treatment methodology serves to augment the surface roughness, eliminate impurities, facilitate cellulose depolymerization, and ultimately engender superior interfacial bonding between the fibres and the matrix. The enhancements lead to a rise in tensile strength and modulus, rendering the processed Kenaf fibres more appropriate for a range of applications that necessitate high-performance composite materials. The mechanical property of flexural strength plays a crucial role in determining a material's capacity to endure bending or deformation when subjected to a flexural load. Treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) can lead to a substantial enhancement in the flexural strength of kenaf fibre (Figure 2). The following are comprehensive notes pertaining to the enhancement of flexural strength characteristics of kenaf fibre that has undergone NaOH treatment. The surface of kenaf fibres undergoes chemical alterations as a result of NaOH treatment, leading to surface modification. The NaOH solution facilitates the degradation of the lignin, waxes, and oils that form a coating on the outer cell wall of the fibre. Consequently, the aforementioned process induces a partial elimination of said substances, thereby leading to an increase in surface roughness of the fibre. The treatment with NaOH results in the disruption of hydrogen bonds that are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the cellulose in kenaf fibre. The aforementioned procedure involves the depolymerization of cellulose and subsequent exposure of the shorter crystallites present within the fibre. Consequently, the accessibility of the fibre for interaction with the matrix material is enhanced. The altered surface morphology of kenaf fibres enhances the interfacial adhesion and bonding with the matrix material, commonly epoxy resin. The augmentation of the fiber-matrix interface facilitates the efficient transmission of stress during flexural loading, thereby leading to a notable enhancement in flexural strength. The morphology of kenaf fibres is affected by the treatment with NaOH, resulting in morphological changes. The augmentation of surface roughness and the exposure of additional active sites on the fibre surface facilitate superior mechanical interlocking with the matrix. The observed alterations in morphology are a significant factor in enhancing the flexural strength of the composite material. The enhancement of flexural strength is significantly affected by the concentration and duration of the NaOH treatment, which are deemed as crucial treatment parameters. Research has demonstrated that an optimal concentration of NaOH and duration of treatment exist, beyond which a reduction in flexural strength may occur. The identification of suitable treatment parameters is of utmost importance in order to attain the intended improvement in flexural characteristics. The reinforcement effect is observed in the composite material due to the incorporation of treated kenaf fibres. The incorporation of these elements results in enhanced flexural characteristics of the composite, owing to their supplementary strength and stiffness. The optimisation of the fibre-matrix interaction results in an effective transfer of loads, thereby minimising the likelihood of fibre debonding or failure. The evaluation of the flexural strength of composites reinforced with kenaf fibres is conventionally conducted through the utilisation of standardised testing approaches, such as ASTM D790. The flexural strength properties of kenaf fibre can be significantly improved through a combination of fibre treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and the addition of custard apple powder filler particles to the matrix. The application of NaOH treatment has been observed to enhance the surface roughness of fibres through the disruption of the hydrogen bonds responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the fibres. The process eliminates extraneous substances, such as lignin, oils, and wax, from the external layer of the fibre cell wall. The treatment process leads to depolymerization of cellulose present in the fibre, thereby enhancing the accessibility and exposure of the fibre surface. The aforementioned alterations result in an improved interfacial bonding between the fibre and matrix, thereby augmenting the mechanical characteristics of the composite material. The utilisation of custard apple powder, which is obtained from the seeds of the custard apple fruit, as a biodegradable filler material in the epoxy matrix is a viable option. The incorporation of filler particles into the matrix enhances the mechanical and thermal characteristics of the composite material.
The incorporation of custard apple powder into the matrix results in a reinforcement effect, leading to an improvement in both strength and stiffness.
Moreover, it aids in diminishing the total expenditure on materials due to its cost-effectiveness and environmentally sustainable nature as a filling alternative.
Optimisation of the filler particles' size, shape, and concentration can be undertaken to attain the intended properties. The present study investigates the synergistic effect on flexural strength. The flexural strength properties of a composite material are enhanced through a synergistic effect resulting from the incorporation of NaOH-treated kenaf fibres and custard apple powder filler particles. The application of NaOH treatment enhances the interface between the fibre and matrix, thereby facilitating superior transfer of stress and distribution of load between the two components.
The augmentation of surface roughness and the elimination of impurities serve to improve the adhesion between the fibres and the epoxy matrix.
Incorporating custard apple powder filler particles into the matrix results in a reinforcement of the material, leading to an enhancement in its strength and stiffness.
The enhancement of interfacial adhesion and overall composite performance is attributed to the optimised concentration and dispersion of the filler particles. The flexural strength properties of composites can be enhanced considerably by incorporating custard apple powder filler particles into the epoxy matrix and subjecting kenaf fibres to alkaline treatment using NaOH (Figure 3). The aforementioned methodology presents a sustainable and economical resolution for augmenting the mechanical efficacy of composites made of kenaf fibres and polymer.
3 Claims & 3 Figures , Claims:The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims:

Claim:
1. The Kenaf fibre reinforced epoxy composites with annona squamosa powder exhibited following characteristics:
a) The flexural strength of kenaf fibre is significantly improved through treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
b) The application of NaOH induces surface-level chemical modifications in kenaf fibres, which entail the breakdown of lignin, waxes, and oils that envelop the outer cell wall of the fibre.
c) The enhancement in flexural strength can be attributed to the efficient stress transmission facilitated by an improved fiber-matrix interface during flexural loading.

2. As mentioned in claim 1, the morphological changes that were observed have a significant impact on the improvement of the flexural strength in the composite material.

3. As mentioned in claim 1, the application of NaOH treatment on kenaf fibres results in significant alterations in their morphology, such as heightened surface roughness and the revelation of supplementary active sites. These modifications facilitate superior mechanical interlocking with the matrix.