EFFECTS OF ALKALI TREATMENT ON THE MECHANICAL, CHEMICAL, AND THERMAL PROPERTIES OF ARAMID AND GRASS FIBER-REINFORCED EPOXY HYBRID COMPOSITES

In this study, we investigated enhancing the biodegradability of aramid fiber composites by incorporating natural grass fibers, with the aim of maintaining the performance integrity of the composites. We fabricated a series of aramid and grass fiber hybrid composites with varied weight ratios (ranging from 0% to 40%) in an epoxy matrix in order to assess the effects of the fiber ratio and alkali treatment on the thermal, mechanical, chemical, and morphological properties of the composites. One pivotal finding was the substantial increase in tensile strength with higher aramid fiber content; notably, a composite with a 30 wt% aramid and 10 wt% grass fiber ratio showcased remarkable strength, retaining about 60% of the tensile capability of a pure aramid fiber composite. Alkali treatment of grass fibers was found to significantly enhance the overall attributes of the composites, evidenced by an increase in crystallinity and improved thermal stability, where treated hybrids demonstrated a higher decomposition threshold compared to their untreated counterparts. Furthermore, these composites exhibited superior resistance in acidic environments, indicating their robustness and applicability across diverse operational scenarios. The investigation into dielectric strength revealed a positive correlation with the inclusion of aramid fibers, peaking with composites fully composed of treated fibers. The scanning electron microscopy analysis after fractography confirmed enhanced fiber-matrix interactions following alkali treatment, further substantiating the observed performance improvements. Therefore, in this paper, we highlight the potential of alkali-treated grass fibers in creating sustainable, high-performance aramid fiber composites, representing a significant stride toward eco-friendly material innovation.