Influence of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) nano-powder on thermo-mechanical, water absorption and morphological properties of Tindora (Coccinia grandis) tendrils fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract

In this experimental work, the influence of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) powder on thermo-mechanical, water absorption, and morphological properties of Tindora (Coccinia grandis) tendrils fiber-reinforced epoxy composites is investigated. The Coccinia grandis fibers (CGFs) were extracted from tendrils of the Tindora plant, and composites with and without Haritaki powder (HP) are fabricated by using hand layup and compression molding techniques. The mechanical strengths, water absorption studies, and the characterization techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction studies, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy studies are conducted. From the results, it is found that the mechanical strengths of the HP filled C. grandis fiber-reinforced composites (HPCGFRCs) are 14.26–26.59% higher than that of those without HP composites. The maximum weight gain percentages of CGFs and their composites due to water absorption varied between 6.32% and 10.63%. Findings of the experiments reveal that the inclusion of HP has a significant influence on the properties of CGFRCs and ascertained that HP could be the potential nanofiller formost of the polymer matrix composites.

Keywords

• tindora (coccinia grandis) fibers
• haritaki (terminalia chebula) powder
• mechanical properties
• thermogravimetric analysis
• differential scanning calorimetry
• x-ray diffraction studies