Enhancing bio-epoxy composites with Syagrus romanzoffiana palm fibers: Impact of fiber loading on thermomechanical and water absorption properties

This research explores the creation of eco-friendly biocomposites by combining a bio-epoxy matrix with fibers from the Syagrus romanzoffiana plant (SrF). To reduce dependence on synthetic materials, composites with 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % fiber by weight were produced and evaluated. The results demonstrated that higher fiber loadings substantially improved mechanical properties; the composite with 30 % SrF reached a tensile strength of 83.21 MPa and a flexural strength of 47.54 MPa. Analyses confirmed that increased fiber content also enhanced thermal stability, shifted the decomposition peak to a higher temperature, and raised the material's crystallinity. Spectroscopic and microscopic techniques pointed to strong interfacial bonding and effective fiber dispersion at moderate loadings. However, a drawback of higher fiber content was increased water absorption due to the natural fibers' hydrophilic nature. The study concludes that composites containing 10–20 % SrF offer the optimal compromise between enhanced mechanical performance and acceptable moisture resistance, positioning Syagrus romanzoffiana fibers as a viable and sustainable reinforcement for bio-based polymers.