Mechanical, wear, and water absorption behavior of polyester biocomposite using jackfruit seed husk cellulose and pineapple fiber

To develop an eco-friendly and high toughness polyester composite for automotive applications, this present research utilized bio-based reinforcements such as jackfruit seed husk cellulose and pineapple fiber. The primary objective of this study was to investigate how the novel cellulose addition influenced the mechanical, water absorption, and wear resistance. The methodology employed encompasses the extraction of cellulose from jackfruit seed husk, coupled with the integration of pineapple fiber as a reinforcing element within the polyester matrix. Notably, the cellulose extraction process entails treatment procedures aimed at enhancing its compatibility with the matrix, with the potential to advance improved interactions between the fibers and the matrix. The fabrication of the composite samples was achieved using a precisely controlled processing technique, ensuring a homogenous dispersion of both cellulose and pineapple fiber via hand layup process. The research explores the impact of varying combinations of cellulose at 1, 2, and 4 vol. % and pineapple fiber at 50 vol. % on the composite’s mechanical performance. Notably, the composite gives a maximum tensile strength of 144 MPa, flexural strength of 172 MPa, compression strength of 156 MPa, and impact energy of 5.64J respectively for 2 vol. % of cellulose addition. Similarly, the composite with 4 vol. % of cellulose resulted in wear resistance with a lower sp. wear rate of 0.011 mm³/Nm with a water absorption percentage of 0.042%. In summary, this study contributes to a deeper comprehension of the intricate relationship between jackfruit seed husk cellulose, pineapple fiber, and the polyester matrix in the context of bio-composite development. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential applications and limitations of such bio-composite materials, thus enriching the field of sustainable and mechanically robust materials.