Use of Lignin as a Compatibiliser in Sunn hemp Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Prof. Arvind L Bhongade, Dr. Shashikant P Borkar

Natural Fibers, Sunn Hemp, epoxy, lignin, compatibiliser, composite.

Increasing environmental awareness throughout the world has triggered a paradigm shift towards designing such materials, which are compatible with the environment. The use of natural fibers, provides a positive environmental benefits with respect to disposability and raw material utilization. It has been established that the final mechanical properties of a composite are dependent on the magnitude of the strength of the bond between the fiber and matrix. As such, the poor adhesion that exists between the fibers and resins prevents Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites (NFRCs) from having commercially useful structural properties. This study investigated how lignin as a compatibiliser influences the composites mechanical properties in sunn hemp fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The addition of lignin in composites of epoxy resin and sunn hemp fiber reinforcement seems to be beneficial towards improving the impact, tensile and flexural strength, although the latter two also showed a decrease when excessive lignin was added. This is attributed to the lignin particles preventing complete resin infusion across the sunn hemp mat which subsequently reduces the mechanical properties.

10.22161/ijaers/3.10.8