Effect of Amino Silane Grafted Cellulose and Kenaf Fibers in Mechanical, Impact Toughness and Drilling Characteristics of Epoxy Resin Composite

This research focused on effect of surface treated kenaf fiber as reinforcement and cellulose as filler in epoxy composites for mechanical, impact toughness and drilling characteristics. The laminates for this study are prepared by hand lay-up process and characterization was performed by preparing suitable samples with respect to ASTM standards. The mechanical characterization results show an increase in tensile strength of around 60% for silane treated reinforcement composites, while as-received reinforced composites give only a 45% increment for composite designation EKC2 (Epoxy + kenaf + Cellulose). Similarly, flexural and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) tests show enhanced properties by 53% and 18%, respectively with a maximum impact resistance of 7.22 J for silane treated reinforcements. Drilling characterization shows smooth drilling from top to bottom due to the silane treatment and there is no delamination occurs. Such improved, strengthened materials are used in various industrial and household applications as well as from its drilling characteristics, it is clear that these natural fiber composites can be used in the automotive sector and for structural uses.