Influence of Vachellia nilotica Subsp. indica Tree Trunk Bark Nano-powder on Properties of Milkweed Plant Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Abstract

The high-strength materials fabricated from biodegradable resources are in demand due to their renewable nature, lightweight, and environmental friendliness. The current experimental investigation aims to examine the influence of Vachellia nilotica subsp. indica tree trunk bark nano-powder on properties of milkweed fiber-reinforced polymer composites (MFPCs). The composites were prepared by compression molding method, and the properties such as mechanical strength and water absorption behavior were analyzed; differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation were also carried out. Results revealed that the inclusion of V. indica tree trunk nano-powder had a considerable effect on the properties of MFPCs, and it could act as an impending nano-filler for the polymer matrix composites.

Keywords

• milkweed fiber
• vachellia indica nano-powder
• differential scanning calorimetry
• thermogravimetric analysis
• x-ray diffraction
• fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy