Thermogravimetric analysis of Calotropis procera fibers and their influence on the thermal conductivity and flammability studies of polymer composites

The aim of this present investigation is to determine the thermal stability of the Calotropis procera fibers and to study the thermal conductivity and flammability characteristics of Calotropis procera fibers reinforced polymer composites as a function of fiber loading. Thermogravimetric analysis conducted on the fibers show that the fibers are thermally stable and can withstand 200 degrees C. Composite samples are fabricated using 10, 20, 30 and 40 weight % of Calotropis procera fibers using epoxy as the matrix. Thermal conductivity studies conducted on the composite samples exemplify decrease in thermal conductivity on increasing the fiber loading with values lying between 0.146 and 0.137 W m(-1) k(-1) for varying weight % of the fibers. Underwriter's laboratory tests show no UL ratings for these samples and the rate of burning of the composites increases with increase in the weight % of the fibers in the matrix and the values range between 20.24 and 27.66 mm min(-1) for increasing weight % of fibers from 10 weight % to 40 weight %. Studies show that fibers can be used as polymeric reinforcements and the composites can be used for low temperature applications.