Untreated and chemically treated Pennisetum orientale grass fiber filled vinyl ester composites: Physical, mechanical, and thermal properties analysis

The utilization of natural fibers rather than engineered filaments has turned into a subject of conversation in the composite industries. In this research, one of the natural fibers was synthesized from Pennisetum orientale grass and the surfaces were modified using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) chemically. Then they were used as reinforcement in vinyl ester polymer by different weight percentage (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt%) for fabrication of composites. At different filler loading various mechanical properties were evaluated and discussed. The mechanical properties of the composites were observed to increase at beginning phase with increase in filler content till optimum (25 wt%) fiber loading and from there on declines. The composite at optimum fiber loading were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and compared with untreated composites. The findings give manufactures and engineer a general idea to use this composite for weight reduction especially in automotive applications.

Automated summary

This research focuses on the utilization of natural fibers, synthesized from Pennisetum orientale grass, as reinforcement in vinyl ester polymer for fabrication of composites. The mechanical properties of the composites were evaluated at different filler loading, and it was found that the properties initially increased with filler content until optimum fiber loading and then declined. The findings suggest that this composite can be used for weight reduction in automotive applications.