Enhancing thermo-mechanical properties of Honckenya fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites: a comparative study of novel potash salt and NaOH treatments

Focus is gradually shifting from complete reliance on chemical-based treatment, toward eco-friendly alternatives for natural fiber treatment in composite development. This study introduces, for the first time, natural potash salt (KTN) as a multicomponent, sustainable treatment for natural fibers. The thermo-mechanical behavior of Honckenya fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites (HFRPPCs) treated with potash, NaOH, and untreated fibers was investigated using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Fiber characterization was performed via FTIR and SEM. Results indicate that treated composites exhibited significantly enhanced properties. Potash-treated HFRPPC demonstrated superior performance with the highest storage modulus (1431.79 MPa), loss modulus (129.57 MPa), and tanδ (0.16). DTA and DMA analyses confirm that potash treatment yields better thermo-mechanical properties than NaOH treatment, offering an eco-friendly alternative for enhancing thermal stability and expanding service temperature ranges in sustainable automotive, interior, and construction materials.