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Mechanical Properties, Water Absorption, and Chemical

Resistance of Napier Grass Fiber Strand–Reinforced Epoxy Resin
Composites

Article  in  International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization · November 2014

DOI: 10.1080/1023666X.2014.954186

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Mechanical Properties, Water

Absorption, and Chemical Resistance of
Napier Grass Fiber Strand–Reinforced
Epoxy Resin Composites
a c b a e
V. P. Kommula , K. Obi Reddy , Mukul Shukla , Tshilidzi
d f
Marwala & A. Varada Rajulu
a
Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology , Doornfontein
Campus, University of Johannesburg , Johannesburg , South Africa
b
Department of Chemical Engineering Technology , Doornfontein
Campus, University of Johannesburg , Johannesburg , South Africa
c
Department of Mechanical Engineering , University of Botswana ,
Gaborone , Botswana
d
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment , University of
Johannesburg , Auckland Park , Johannesburg , South Africa
e
Department of Mechanical Engineering , Motilal Nehru National
Institute of Technology , Allahabad , India
f
Department of Physics , Osmania University , Hyderabad , India
Accepted author version posted online: 11 Sep 2014.Published
online: 31 Oct 2014.

To cite this article: V. P. Kommula , K. Obi Reddy , Mukul Shukla , Tshilidzi Marwala & A. Varada
Rajulu (2014) Mechanical Properties, Water Absorption, and Chemical Resistance of Napier Grass
Fiber Strand–Reinforced Epoxy Resin Composites, International Journal of Polymer Analysis and
Characterization, 19:8, 693-708, DOI: 10.1080/1023666X.2014.954186

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1023666X.2014.954186

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 International Journal of Polymer Anal. Charact., 19: 693–708, 2014
Copyright # Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN: 1023-666X print/1563-5341 online
DOI: 10.1080/1023666X.2014.954186

Mechanical Properties, Water Absorption, and

Chemical Resistance of Napier Grass Fiber Strand–
Reinforced Epoxy Resin Composites

V. P. Kommula,1,3 K. Obi Reddy,2 Mukul Shukla,1,5 Tshilidzi Marwala,4 and

A. Varada Rajulu6
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Doornfontein Campus,
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University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

2
Department of Chemical Engineering Technology, Doornfontein Campus,
University of Johannesburg,
Johannesburg, South Africa
3
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
4
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Johannesburg,
Auckland Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
5
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology,
Allahabad, India
6
Department of Physics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India

Napier grass fiber strands were used as reinforcement to obtain composites with epoxy resin as
matrix. To improve the surface, these fiber strands were treated with alkali solution. The composites
were prepared by means of hand lay-up molding, then the effects of Napier grass fiber strand loading
on mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact, interfacial bonding, and chemical
resistance were investigated. The composite with 20 wt.% Napier grass fiber strands gives excellent
mechanical properties and chemical resistance, showing that it has the best bonding and adhesion of
the composites. SEM micrographs of fractured and worn surfaces clearly demonstrate the interfacial
adhesion between fiber and matrix. Alkali-treated Napier grass fiber strand–reinforced composites
have better resistance to water and chemicals than the untreated fiber strand composites.

Keywords: Alkali treatment; Electron microscopy; Fiber composites; Fiber strands; Mechanical properties

INTRODUCTION

Synthetic fiber–reinforced polymer composites are used in almost every kind of application
in our daily life, and their usage continues to grow at an inspiring rapidity.[1] However, it is

Submitted 1 July 2014; accepted 8 August 2014.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of
Johannesburg.
Correspondence: K. Obi Reddy, Department of Chemical Engineering Technology, Doornfontein Campus, P.O. Box
17011, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg-2028, South Africa. E-mail: obireddyk80@gmail.com; obik@uj.ac.za
Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/gpac.
 694 V. P. KOMMULA ET AL.

becoming more evident that the environment is considerably stressed and damaged as a result of
nondegradable synthetic fiber materials.[2] The manufacture, use, and removal of conventional
composite structures, usually made of synthetic (glass, carbon, and aramid) fibers, are con-
sidered seriously because of growing environmental consciousness. In recent years, there is
increasing interest in the use of natural fibers as reinforcing components for polymer
matrices.[3,4] The introduction of natural fibers in composites can provide benefits to the environ-
ment as they are biodegradable, with low density, cost effectiveness, and abundant availability as
renewable resources.[5] Natural fiber composites provide encouraging environmental benefits
with respect to eventual disposability and raw material utilization, and they also represent a
possible route for obtaining more carbon dioxide–neutral materials.[4] Many researchers have
investigated the suitability of natural fibers as reinforcing components in polymer matrices.[6–8]
However, the drawbacks of natural fibers such as degradation during processing, poor dimen-
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sional stability, and high moisture absorption make them unsuitable for composite applica-
tions.[9] Another problem encountered in their use is fiber-matrix adhesion arising from the
incompatibility between the hydrophilic natural fibers and the hydrophobic polymer matrix.[10]
These problems were solved by fiber surface treatment or polymer matrix modification methods.
To improve fiber properties it is necessary to improve fiber-matrix adhesion and reduce the
moisture content of the fiber. This can be achieved by fiber surface modification through physi-
cal (corona discharge, cold plasma, and UV bombardment) or chemical (alkalization, grafting,
acrylation, acetylation, silane, and peroxide) methods.[11–14] The chemical methods are inexpen-
sive and effective in modifying the fiber surface for enhanced interfacial adhesion between the
natural fiber and the polymeric matrix. Chemical modifications of natural fibers aimed at
improving the adhesion with a polymer matrix have been investigated by a number of
researchers.[7,8,15–17]
Mercerization or alkali (NaOH) treatment is being extensively used for natural fibers used to
reinforce polymer matrices. The alkali treatment actions reduce the moisture-related hydroxyl
groups (hydrophilic) and thus improve the fibers’ hydrophobicity. This treatment removes a
certain amount of hemicellulose, lignin, and wax (weak boundary layer) covering the external
surface of the fibers.[18] This treatment thus increases the effective surface area of fiber for
matrix adhesion and also improves fiber dispersion within the composite. After this treatment,
fiber surfaces become rough and this can further improve fiber-matrix adhesion by providing
additional fiber sites for mechanical interlocking. Mechanical behavior of the composite is
enhanced significantly by this treatment. However, too high alkali concentration can cause an
excess removal of covering materials from the cellulose surface, which results in weakening
or damage to the fiber structure, leading to inferior mechanical properties. Several research
activities have been conducted to improve fiber adhesion properties with the matrix through
alkali treatment.[7,8,19–22]
In the present study, African native Napier grass fiber was selected as reinforcement due to its
prospective mechanical properties compared to other natural fibers. Napier grass (Pennisetum
purpureum), also called elephant grass, belongs to the Poaceae family. It is a rapid-growing,
internodal, fibrous, perennial grass available in abundance and has huge economic potential.
The authors have already reported preliminary studies on properties of Napier grass fiber strands,
in particular their suitability as a reinforcement.[23]
Epoxy resins are the most prominent examples of the class of thermosetting resins. Epoxy
resins have played an important role in polymer matrix composite materials because of their
 NAPIER GRASS FIBER STRAND–REINFORCED COMPOSITES 695

superior mechanical and adhesive properties. They have been used widely as matrices to hold
high-performance fiber reinforcement together in composite materials, as well as structural
adhesives.
To our knowledge, works related to alkali treatment of native African Napier grass fiber
strands and their influence on mechanical properties have not yet been reported and the proper-
ties of Napier grass fiber strands reinforced with epoxy matrix have not yet been researched.
In this study, an attempt is made to investigate the mechanical behavior of Napier grass fiber
strand–reinforced epoxy composites considering the effects of two different fabricating para-
meters: fiber weight fraction and fiber orientation. Afterwards, an attempt was made to study
the influence of alkali treatment on the mechanical properties of Napier grass fiber strand-epoxy
composites. The overall aim of this research study is to modify the Napier grass fiber strand sur-
face by alkali and to investigate the mechanical properties, interfacial bonding, and chemical
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resistance of the composites fabricated using them as reinforcement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials

In the present work, native African Napier grass fiber strands as reinforcement and epoxy resin
(Araldite LY556) as matrix and hardener (HY951) were used in the preparation of composites.
Analytical-grade chemical reagents of acetic acid, sodium bisulfite, and sodium hydroxide
pellets (Merck Chemicals) were used.

Fiber Extraction

One-year-old Napier grass stems were collected from Botswana. The mechanical combined with
water retting process was adopted for extraction of fiber strands from grass internodes. The sepa-
rated fiber strands were washed thoroughly using distilled water and then sun dried for one week
to ensure maximum moisture removal.

Alkali Treatment

The fiber strands were treated with 5, 10, and 15% (w=v) sodium hydroxide solution for 2 h at
room temperature, maintaining a liquor ratio of 30:1 to remove the hemicellulose and surface
impurities. Finally, the fibers were neutralized using 1% (w=v) acetic acid solution followed
by water, and then the fibers were dried at 100 C for 24 h.

Composite Preparation

The hand lay-up technique was adopted for the fabrication of composites in the present work. A
glass mold having dimensions of 160  160  3 mm was used to lay up the composite laminates.
Initially, the glass mold was completely covered with a Teflon sheet for easy removal of the
cured laminate from the glass mold. The epoxy (degassed) resin and hardener were mixed in
 696 V. P. KOMMULA ET AL.

a proportion of 100 to 15 parts by weight, respectively. Finally, the Napier grass fiber strands
(length, 185 mm) were placed in a unidirectional aligned manner and the mixture of resin was
poured over them to prepare long fiber laminates (hereafter called long). By placing a mixture
of resin and Napier grass fiber strands (length, 10 mm) in a random orientation, short laminates
(hereafter called short) were prepared.
Untreated and NaOH treated (5, 10, and 15% concentration) Napier grass fibers were used to
lay up the composite laminates (long and short) with different fiber loadings, i.e., 10, 20, and
30% by weight. Laminates were allowed to cure at room temperature for 24 h. The cured lami-
nates were then removed from the glass mold and post-cured in a hot air oven at 100 C for 3 h.

Mechanical Testing
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Test specimens were prepared from these laminates as per the ASTM standard. Tensile tests
were carried out according to the ASTM D3039-78 standard using a universal testing machine
(Instron 3369) with a load cell of 10 kN, maintaining a crosshead speed of 5 mm=min. Flexural
tests were performed as per the ASTM D5943-96 standard utilizing the three-point bending
mode on the above machine with a crosshead speed of 2 mm=min and a support span length
of 50 mm. Izod impact tests were performed on the composites according to the ASTM
D256-88 standard using an impact testing machine (M=s PSI Instruments, India). The test speci-
men was supported as a vertical cantilever beam and broken by a single swing of a pendulum.
Five specimens were used for each test and the average values recorded.

Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis

The morphology of the fractured samples was examined using an Oxford X-Max scanning elec-
tron microscope (SEM) operating with secondary electron imaging at 15 kV. The composite
samples were cryogenically cooled and brittle fractured. The fractured surfaces were coated with
carbon by electrodeposition to impart electrical conduction before recording the micrographs.

Chemical Resistance

To study the chemical resistance of the composites, the ASTM D 543-87 test method was
employed. In this method, samples were dipped in the respective chemicals for 24 h, removed
immediately, washed with distilled water, and then dried by pressing them between filter papers.
The samples were then weighed and the percentage weight loss=gain was determined. The per-
centage weight loss=gain was determined using the following equation:
Original weight  final weight
% Weight loss or gain of the sample ¼ 100
Original weight

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Preliminary work involving the extraction of the fiber strands from Napier grass internodes and
study of the influence of the alkali treatment on the chemical composition and properties of the
 NAPIER GRASS FIBER STRAND–REINFORCED COMPOSITES 697

fiber strands has already been reported by the authors.[23] In that study, SEM analysis of
alkali-treated fiber strands showed the roughness of the fibers after alkali treatment, suggesting
the removal of impurities to facilitate good interaction between fibers and matrices. Higher fiber
yield and greater modulus with moderate strength is one of the prime reasons for the choice of
these fiber strands as reinforcement in this work.
In this study, the authors aim to improve the properties of epoxy by reinforcing it with
surface-modified Napier grass strands.

Mechanical Properties

Randomly Oriented Short Fiber Strand Composites

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The average tensile (strength and modulus), flexural (strength and modulus), and impact
(strength) parameters based on untreated and different concentrations (5, 10, and 15%) of
NaOH-treated short fiber composites for different fiber loadings (10, 20, and 30%) are presented
in Table I, and the corresponding variations are shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 respectively. From
Table I and Figures 1–3, it can be seen that the mechanical (strength and modulus) properties of
the short fiber composites increased with increasing fiber loading up to 20% and decreased with
further fiber loading. Also, the mechanical (strength and modulus) properties of short fiber
strand composites increased with NaOH treatment up to 10% and decreased thereafter. Both
untreated and NaOH-treated fiber strand composites revealed a maximum value of mechanical
properties at 20 wt.% loading. However, as expected in all the cases, the mechanical properties
of the composites were found to be higher than those for the matrix. At the 20 wt.% short fiber
(10% NaOH treated) content, the mechanical properties of the composites are as follows: tensile
strength, 39.53 MPa; tensile modulus, 2.95 GPa; flexural strength, 76.21 MPa; flexural modulus,
3.57 GPa; impact strength, 106.29 J=m. The percentage increases in tensile (strength and modu-
lus), flexural (strength and modulus), and impact (strength) properties of composites, respect-
ively (presented in parentheses), over the matrix are: tensile (88.2 and 47.8), flexural (69.3
and 43.1), and impact (165.7).

Unidirectionally Oriented Long Fiber Composites

The average tensile (strength and modulus), flexural (strength and modulus), and impact
(strength) properties based on untreated and different concentrations (5, 10, and 15%) of
NaOH-treated long fiber strand composites for different fiber loadings (10, 20, and 30%) are
presented in Table II, and the corresponding variations are shown in Figures 4–6. The long fiber
strand composites exhibit a trend similar to that of the randomly oriented short fiber strand com-
posites. The mechanical properties of the composites increased with increasing fiber loading up
to 20 wt.% and thereafter decreased. Also, the mechanical (strength and modulus) properties of
short fiber strand composites increased with NaOH treatment up to 10% and decreased there-
after. However, in all the cases, the mechanical (strength and modulus) properties of the com-
posites were found to be higher than that for the matrix. At the 20 wt.% short fiber (treated
with 10% NaOH) composition, the mechanical properties of the composites were found to
be: tensile strength, 142.1 MPa; tensile modulus, 10.9 GPa; flexural strength, 111.3 MPa;
 Downloaded by [152.106.99.139] at 04:00 05 November 2014

698
TABLE I
Tensile, Flexural, and Impact Properties of Napier Grass Short Fiber Strand=Epoxy Composites

Tensile strength (MPa) Tensile modulus (GPa) Flexural strength (MPa) Flexural modulus (GPa) Impact strength (J=m)

Fiber NaOH concentration (%) NaOH concentration (%) NaOH concentration (%) NaOH concentration (%) NaOH concentration (%)
loading
(wt.%) 0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15

0a 21 2.0 45 2.5 40
10 25.13 29.6 34.10 28.32 2.48 2.55 2.76 2.65 48.95 54.8 61.59 52.58 3.06 3.23 3.35 3.27 49.05 50.61 62.81 52.04
20 28.45 31.25 39.53 30.40 2.72 2.90 2.95 2.83 56.21 63.49 76.21 61.36 3.29 3.47 3.57 3.46 91.81 99.56 106.29 100.26
30 26.72 28.49 35.80 28.63 2.49 2.73 2.76 2.71 47.39 51.14 66.98 55.54 3.04 3.13 3.23 3.34 80.27 86.21 97.93 92.93
a
Matrix.
 NAPIER GRASS FIBER STRAND–REINFORCED COMPOSITES 699
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FIGURE 1 Tensile properties of Napier grass short fiber strand=epoxy composites.

flexural modulus, 6.8 GPa; impact strength, 237.6 J=m. The percentage increases in tensile
(strength and modulus with 10%), flexural (strength and modulus), and impact (strength) proper-
ties of composites, respectively (presented in parentheses), over the matrix were: tensile (576.8
and 445.4), flexural (147.3 and 171.3), and impact (493.4%).
In the present study, the optimum limit of fiber loading was found to be 20%, beyond which
deterioration in properties was observed. This increase in tensile properties shows that the fiber
strands are capable of acting as stress transfer agents for the epoxy matrix, particularly at
20 wt.%. Further, for higher wt.% of the fiber the amount of epoxy resin seems to be insufficient
to diffuse thoroughly into the Napier grass fiber strands and, as a result, the mechanical proper-
ties decreased. From the above studies, it is evident that the chemical modification of the fiber
strands by NaOH treatment improved the mechanical properties of the composites. It can be seen
that the composites with NaOH-treated Napier grass fiber strands have higher mechanical
properties than the composites with untreated Napier grass fiber strands. The increase in
 700 V. P. KOMMULA ET AL.
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FIGURE 2 Flexural properties of Napier grass short fiber strand=epoxy composites.

FIGURE 3 Impact properties of Napier grass short fiber strand=epoxy composites.

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TABLE II
Tensile, Flexural, and Impact Properties of Napier Grass Long Strand=Epoxy Composites

Tensile strength (MPa) Tensile modulus (GPa) Flexural strength (MPa) Flexural modulus (GPa) Impact strength (J=m)

Fiber NaOH concentration (%) NaOH concentration (%) NaOH concentration (%) NaOH concentration (%) NaOH concentration (%)
loading
(Wt. %) 0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15

0 21 2.0 45 2.5 40
10 62.81 77.04 98.33 69.91 7.00 7.93 8.74 7.39 85.49 94.07 98.41 81.75 3.6 3.98 4.24 2.99 87.6 115.83 137.4 105.63
20 101.02 120.87 142.14 128.33 8.94 9.98 10.90 9.50 103.25 105.5 111.33 92.52 6.05 6.11 6.78 5.88 131.92 180.14 237.59 193.96
30 87.47 100.8 114.1 94.09 8.21 9.02 9.19 8.94 84.99 95.73 106.57 86.31 5.26 5.45 5.71 5.40 116.02 139.21 144.29 135.36

0 : Matrix.

701
 702 V. P. KOMMULA ET AL.
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FIGURE 4 Tensile properties of Napier grass long fiber strand=epoxy composites.

mechanical properties of NaOH-treated fiber strand composites is due to the treatment, which
removed the hemicellulose and surface impurities. Thereby, NaOH treatment resulted in a rough
surface topography, which in turn increased the effective surface area available for contact
with the wet matrix and better mechanical interlocking.
However, in this study, the 10% NaOH-treated Napier grass fiber strand composite exhibited
maximum increases of mechanical properties compared to untreated, 5% NaOH-treated, and
15% NaOH-treated fiber strand composites. This behavior is expected to be due to the insuf-
ficient removal of hemicellulose and surface impurities after 5% NaOH treatment. However,
fiber strands were damaged due to the chemical reaction with sodium hydroxide at higher
(15%) concentrations. This damage is caused by a structural change whereby cellulose in the
fiber partially changes in the crystalline region.[18] Further, in the case of 10% NaOH-treated
fiber strands, fibrils became more capable of rearranging themselves in a compact manner,
leading to closer packing of the cellulose chain and improvement in fiber strand strength.
 NAPIER GRASS FIBER STRAND–REINFORCED COMPOSITES 703
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FIGURE 5 Flexural properties of Napier grass long fiber strand=epoxy composites.

However, the reinforcing effect of Napier grass fiber strands is readily apparent when fibers
are aligned with the stress direction as compared to the short randomly oriented fibers. Long
unidirectional fiber orientation along the direction of applied load provides a continuous load
transfer throughout the composite area. Optimum performance from longitudinal fiber–
reinforced composites can be obtained if the load is applied along its fiber direction. However,
random fiber orientation in the matrix generates a discontinuous load transfer throughout its
composite. Thus, complex load distribution and nonuniform stress concentration takes place
in the matrix, which may develop matrix cracking, debonding, and failure of the composites.
As a result, random fiber orientations in the matrix exhibit lower mechanical properties of the
composites than the unidirectional fiber composites. The tensile strength is 6.5 times and tensile
modulus 9.3 times higher than that of the short random-oriented Napier grass fiber-epoxy com-
posites. Similarly, increases of up to 2.1 times in flexural strength, 3.9 times in flexural modulus,
and 2.9 times in impact strength were obtained.
 704 V. P. KOMMULA ET AL.
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FIGURE 6 Impact properties of Napier grass long fiber strand=epoxy composites.

Scanning Electron Microscopy

A composite fabrication process was successfully achieved with a uniform dispersion of the
epoxy matrix around the reinforcing Napier grass fiber strands, and the fiber strand=epoxy
matrix surface interaction was investigated. The fiber=matrix adhesion is widely considered to
ensure superior mechanical properties. Figures 7–10 show the SEM micrographs of fractured
surfaces and fiber=matrix interfaces of untreated and different concentrations of NaOH-treated
Napier grass fiber strand composites. From the Figure 7, it can be observed that the fiber strands
tend to pull out and some holes appear on the fractured surfaces of the composite, indicating
poor bonding between the fiber strands and the epoxy matrix. This is mainly due to the weak

FIGURE 7 SEM micrograph of untreated Napier grass fiber strand=epoxy composite.

 NAPIER GRASS FIBER STRAND–REINFORCED COMPOSITES 705
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FIGURE 8 SEM micrograph of 5% alkali-treated Napier grass fiber strand=epoxy composite.

interfacial interaction between the fiber strands and the matrix due to the surface impurities
present on the fiber strands’ surface, eventually leading to poor mechanical properties. On the
other hand, the presence of hydroxyl and other polar groups in the fiber strands also leads to
moisture absorption, resulting in weak interfacial adhesion between the fiber strands and the
hydrophobic matrix.
It is also clear from the SEM image (Figure 8) that only little evidence of fiber pullout is vis-
ible, which indicates that 5% NaOH treatment has led to improved interfacial adhesion between

FIGURE 9 SEM micrograph of 10% alkali-treated Napier grass fiber strand=epoxy composite.
 706 V. P. KOMMULA ET AL.
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FIGURE 10 SEM micrograph of 15% alkali-treated Napier grass fiber strand=epoxy composite.

the fiber strands and matrix, leading to better stress transfer efficiency with increased mechanical
properties compared to those of the untreated fiber strand–reinforced composites. Further, from
the fractographs of 10% NaOH-treated fiber strand–reinforced composites, it can be seen
from Figure 9 that the fiber strands remain in the matrix and no amount of fiber strands pull
out from the matrix surface compared to untreated and 5% NaOH-treated reinforced composites.
This strengthens the fiber strands and leads to enhancement in mechanical properties and
increases the interfacial adhesion in fiber strands as compared to 5% NaOH treatment and
untreated, which makes the fiber strands have better compatibility with the matrix. Finally,
for 15% NaOH-treated composites a behavior similar to that of the 10% NaOH-treated compo-
sites can be seen. However, 15% NaOH-treated composites exhibited lower mechanical proper-
ties. This can be seen from Figure 10 where failure of the composites occurred due to fiber
shearing and not to interfacial failure. It is evident that NaOH-treated Napier grass fiber strands
are more compatible with epoxy than untreated Napier grass fiber strands. This leads to better
bonding at the fiber-matrix interface because NaOH removes the hemicelluloses and impurities
from the fiber surface and creates a rougher topography that facilitates better mechanical inter-
locking. Good interfacial adhesion between the fiber strands and matrix leads to better stress
transfer with increased mechanical properties compared to untreated fiber strand composites.

Water Absorption and Chemical Resistance

Water absorption and the chemical resistance tests were used to find the ability of the African
Napier grass fiber composites to withstand exposure to chemical reagents (water, NaOH, acids,
and solvents). The effect of some chemical reagents on the epoxy matrix and composites (with
untreated and NaOH-treated fibers) are presented in Table III. From the table, it is clearly evident
that for the epoxy matrix and Napier grass epoxy composites some weight gain is observed after
immersion in various chemical reagents. It can be observed that the matrix has better resistance
 NAPIER GRASS FIBER STRAND–REINFORCED COMPOSITES 707

TABLE III
% Weight Gain of the Epoxy and Composites in Different Chemical Reagents

Napier grass fiber composites

NaOH concentration (%)

Chemicals Epoxy Untreated 5 10 15

Water 0.11 1.74 1.63 1.54 1.52

40% HNO3 0.36 1.42 1.20 1.13 1.03
10% HCl 0.14 1.96 1.85 1.68 1.62
8% CH3COOH 0.13 2.65 2.31 2.10 2.03
10% NaOH 0.16 4.71 4.41 4.26 4.12
20% Na2CO3 0.08 1.35 1.21 1.19 1.14
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10% NH4OH 0.61 3.57 3.37 3.25 3.12

Benzene 0.07 0.98 0.81 0.70 0.56
Toluene 0.06 0.77 0.65 0.62 0.51
Carbon tetrachloride 0.05 1.12 1.09 1.02 0.97

for chemicals than the Napier grass fiber strand composites. However, the composites still have
sufficient chemical resistance. It can also be observed that the NaOH-treated composites have
better resistance for chemicals than the untreated composites. This is due to the good bonding
between the NaOH-treated fiber strands and the epoxy matrix, which gives the composites
improved resistance to chemical penetration. Table III also clearly indicates that water absorp-
tion by the composites under study is insignificant in all the cases. Further, the surface modifi-
cation of the fibers has little effect on the water absorption except for a marginal decrease. Based
on this study, these composites can be considered for agricultural, automotive (interior parts),
and domestic household applications.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has examined the effect of different loadings of fiber strands and effect of the
treatment of alkali on the mechanical properties, interfacial bonding, and chemical resistance
of composites.
The following conclusions have been drawn:
. By considering microstructure and mechanical properties, 20 wt.% fiber strand loading
was found to be the optimal fiber strand loading for Napier grass–reinforced epoxy
composites.
. The adhesion between alkali-treated Napier grass fiber strands and epoxy matrix signifi-
cantly improved, which has influence on mechanical properties.
. Long linear fiber strand-epoxy composites showed superior mechanical properties over
short randomly oriented epoxy composites.
. The interfacial bonding between matrix and reinforcement was found to be improved by
alkali treatment of fiber strands.
These composites also possess better chemical and water resistance. Napier grass fiber strands
show promising results as reinforcements for production of bio-composites.
 708 V. P. KOMMULA ET AL.

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