Evaluation of Dynamic Mechanical Properties of PALF and Coir Fiber Reinforcing Epoxy Composites

The growing interest in natural lignocellulosic fibers (NLFs) is associated not only with environmental benefits but also with technical, economical and social advantages. Among the NLFs, the coir fiber and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) are low-cost and widely available waste materials. The present work investigated the dynamic mechanical properties, by means of DMA tests, of these two different fibers as reinforcement of epoxy matrix composites. The influence on DMA properties of composites by the volume fraction and the configuration form, mat or aligned coir fiber, were also evaluated. The results showed higher E’ and E” moduli values and an increase in Tg with the incorporation of PALF in epoxy matrix, which indicate a superior dynamic mechanical properties for this composite in comparison to the neat epoxy resin. The experimental data also revealed a stronger interfacial interaction of PALF/epoxy when compared to coir fiber/epoxy. It was also found a lower tan δ value exhibited by higher volume fractions of aligned coir fibers in epoxy matrix.