Effectiveness of Rattan Fiber as a Reinforcing Material in Polymer Matrix Composites: An Experimental Study

Abstract

It has been proposed that rattan fiber (RA) as reinforcement can be a promising candidate for the fabrication of composites. In present research, composites were fabricated by reinforcing rattan fibers with poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA) matrix. Its various properties (mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties) were evaluated and compared with that with neat PVA. Surface treatments of fibers were carried out to have a better compatibility with PVA matrix. The mechanical properties were found to increase at the early stage with the increase in treated rattan fiber content till optimum (24 wt%) fiber loading and thereafter declines. At 24 wt% (optimum) fiber loading the mechanical properties obtained were 48.722 MPa of tensile strength, 45.72 MPa of flexural strength, 1.57 GPa of young’s modulus and 5.89 kJ/m2 of impact strength. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for analysis. The TGA inferred that the thermal stability of the composites increased as compared to neat PVA matrix. It was found that composites fabricated from 24 wt% fiber content shows superior mechanical properties as well as thermal properties as compared with other fabricated composites and can be used for making partition boards, light weight packaging boxes, and furniture.

Keywords

• rattan fiber
• cellulose fiber
• thermoplastic polymer
• mechanical properties
• thermal properties
• interfacial interaction