Investigations on the Mechanical, Morphological, and Thermal Degradation Properties of Alkali-Treated Polymer Composites Reinforced with an Areca Palm Leaf Stalk Fibers

The current research reported the mechanical characteristics of polyester composites that were strengthened with untreated and three distinct levels of alkali-treated continuous areca palm leaf stalk fibers (AF). The fabrication of the composites involved the utilization of a compression molding method, wherein both untreated AF (UTAF) and alkali-treated AF (ATAF) at varying concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15% were incorporated into an epoxy resin matrix. The results revealed that the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of the composite material, which was strengthened with with a 10% alkali solution treated AF composite (ATAFC), exhibited a significant improvement in comparison to the UTAF-reinforced composite (UTAFC), as well as the ATAFC with 5% and 15% alkali treatment. Furthermore, a decline in the water absorption characteristic was observed in the 10% ATAFC with a reduction of 15%. The scanning electron microscopy technique also revealed the fractured surface morphology of the composite samples. Moreover, the results obtained from dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that the 10% ATAFC exhibited improved loss and storage modulus when compared to the UTAFC, as well as the 5% and 15% ATAF composites.