Characterization of natural fiber reinforced polymeric composites with fruit waste filler for household application

Abstract

This research aims to evaluate thermo-mechanical characteristics of newlineeco-friendly composite material consisting of particulate banana fiber newline(reinforcement), epoxy resin (matrix), and dragon fruit peel powder (filler). newlineThe present research proposes the use of Dragon Fruit Peel Powder newline(DFPP) as filler material, obtained from waste fruit market, to manufacture newlinecomposite materials. The filler exhibits a density of 0.97 g/cm³ and is composed newlineof chemical mixtures of C-O, Ca-O, and Ca-Co, which hold the potential to newlineimprove mechanical strength, reduce porosity, and reflect heat. The newlineincorporation of DFPP as a filler material in composite materials can result in newlineimproved physical and mechanical properties, making it an attractive option for newlinevarious applications. newlineThe composites material were developed using Taguchi orthogonal newlinearray design and compression molding, with 3 factors, 4 variations, and 16 runs. newlineThe optimal composite material was achieved with 40 wt.% particulate banana newlinefiber and 15 wt.% dragon fruit peel powder filler, with 5 mm thickness and newline45 wt.% epoxy. newlineThe optimized composite material demonstrated a maximum newlinehardness of 82.5 SD, tensile strength of 25.577 MPa, flexural strength of newline44.470 MPa, and impact strength of 180.333 J/m. Field emission scanning newlineelectron microscopy assessment confirmed the proposed composite was free of newlineflaws such as cracks, fractures, and deboning. The proposed filler enhanced newlinefiber-resin bonding, increasing wear resistance, reducing water absorption, and newlineresulting in a fatigue life count of 121000 cycles. This also provides improved newlinethermal stability at 245oC with a 17% weight loss, as confirmed by Thermal newlineGravimetric Analysis. newline