Effects of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Coir Fiber and Reinforced Epoxy Composites Treated with Acetic Anhydride and Alkali

Modified coir fiber improves compatibility between fiber and matrix. To explore a better fiber treatment approach and enhance the mechanical properties of composites, this study conducted alkali treatment and acetic anhydride treatment on long and short coir fibers. The effects of different treatments on the properties of coir fibers were characterized using TGA, FTIR, SEM, and stereomicroscopy, and the mechanical properties of the composites were tested. Results showed that the tensile strength of alkali-treated coir fibers (ACF) and acetic anhydride-treated coir fibers (AACF) were remarkably improved. Notably, ACF exhibited a significant 69% increase in tensile strength. The tensile strength of composites with alkali-treated long coir fibers (ALC) and composites with alkali-treated short coir fibers (ASC) reached 34.51 and 21.14 MPa, respectively. The highest flexural strength was found for the acetic anhydride-treated coir fibers, and the flexural strength of composites with acetic anhydride-treated long coir fibers (AALC) and composites with acetic anhydride-treated short coir fibers (AASC) reached 54.38 and 53.46 MPa, respectively. This study presents an improved methodology for enhancing the interfacial bonding ability between coir fibers and the matrix, consequently improving the properties of composites. It offers reference for the investigation of natural fiber composites.