Influence of Low-Pressure Oxygen Plasma Modification on the Mechanical and Surface Charactertstics of Epoxy Composites Reinforced by Eco-Friendly Banana /Sisal Fibers

With the ongoing climate change, rapid urbanization and sustainability issues there’s a growing desire in developing environmentally sustainable lightweight materials which has drawn attention to natural fibers such as banana and sisal fiber as intriguing options for reinforcing polymeric. Banana (BF) and sisal fibers (SF) possess low compactness, pervasive and ecologically benign though they usually exhibit issues with hydrophilicity and performance. For many years now the hazardous effects of chemical treatments such as pollution associated with chemical reprocessing and the expensive cost of these treatments discouraged the industry from its implementation. This study investigates the surface modification of banana and sisal fibers induced by low pressure plasma treatment as well as the changes in mechanical characteristics of composites formed of these fibers and epoxy polymeric matrix. The emphasis is on understanding the mechanisms that induce the chemical and morphological changes observed in BF/SF as well as the mechanisms that enhance the fiber-matrix interface and as a result the mechanical properties of the laminates. When the surface of BF/SF fibers was changed by plasma of oxygen gas (O₂) gas with various power densities of 80,120 W for 30 min significant results were identified for epoxy matrix laminates reinforced with BF/SF. Hence BF and SF might well be exploited for industrial and automotive applications after becoming surface-treated to nurture self-sustaining biodegradable natural resources.