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Synergetic effect of graphene particles on novel biomass–based Ficus benghalensis aerial root/flax fiber–reinforced hybrid epoxy composites for structural application

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Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery
Authors:
Ganapathy T. at P.S.R. Engineering College
Ganapathy T.
Karuppasamy Ramasamy
Karuppasamy Ramasamy
Karuppasamy Ramasamy
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Indran Suyambulingam at Alliance University
Indran Suyambulingam
Suchart Siengchin at King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok
Suchart Siengchin
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Abstract and Figures

In this work, the effects of graphene particles, which were used as a filler for hybrid flax fiber and aerial root banyan fiber (ARBF)–reinforced epoxy composites at different sampling compositions (M4–M7), on the physical and mechanical characteristics of the epoxy composites, such as tensile, flexural, Shore D hardness, water absorption activities, and morphology were studied. The accumulation of graphene particles improved the tensile strength, flexural strength, and hardness but significantly decreased the percentage of water absorption. The ideal ratio of fibers and graphene particles for improved epoxy hybrid epoxy composites is also discussed in this study. The presence of graphene in flax/Banyan/epoxy composites acts as a flame retardant, and the combustibility decreases as the graphene level rises. The best mechanical property value was obtained with 2% graphene particles in the 19% ARBF, 19% flax fiber with 60% (M4 constituent) epoxy-reinforced hybrid composites. The results showed that a hybrid composition of 2% graphene content plays an important role and improves the strength of the hybrid composite.
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Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery (2024) 14:20713–20750
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04275-w
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Synergetic effect ofgraphene particles onnovel biomass–based Ficus
benghalensis aerial root/flax fiber–reinforced hybrid epoxy composites
forstructural application
TGanapathy1· KaruppasamyRamasamy2· IndranSuyambulingam3 · SuchartSiengchin3
Received: 25 January 2023 / Revised: 1 April 2023 / Accepted: 25 April 2023 / Published online: 5 May 2023
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2023
Abstract
In this work, the effects of graphene particles, which were used as a filler for hybrid flax fiber and aerial root banyan fiber
(ARBF)–reinforced epoxy composites at different sampling compositions (M4–M7), on the physical and mechanical char-
acteristics of the epoxy composites, such as tensile, flexural, Shore D hardness, water absorption activities, and morphology
were studied. The accumulation of graphene particles improved the tensile strength, flexural strength, and hardness but sig-
nificantly decreased the percentage of water absorption. The ideal ratio of fibers and graphene particles for improved epoxy
hybrid epoxy composites is also discussed in this study. The presence of graphene in flax/Banyan/epoxy composites acts
as a flame retardant, and the combustibility decreases as the graphene level rises. The best mechanical property value was
obtained with 2% graphene particles in the 19% ARBF, 19% flax fiber with 60% (M4 constituent) epoxy-reinforced hybrid
composites. The results showed that a hybrid composition of 2% graphene content plays an important role and improves
the strength of the hybrid composite.
Keywords Biomass· Biofiber· Banyan fiber· Flax· Graphene· Bio filler· Hybrid composite
1 Introduction
People have been using composite materials with low cost,
low density, and virtuous properties in their routine life for
a long period. Researchers are concentrating on developing
biocomposites by strengthening natural fibers in polymer
composites [1, 2]. More natural fibers are used, which
improves biodegradability, lowers cost and weight of com-
posites, increases specific modulus, decreases the density,
and provides moderate mechanical qualities. Numerous
renewable natural fibers include jute, snake grass, Tapsi,
Napier grass, sugarcane baggage, vakka, banyan, and
harakeke. Processing natural fiber is simple and inexpen-
sive and regulates the greenhouse effect by lowering CO2
emissions. Natural fiber–reinforced composites are preferred
for lightweight material application in various industries
such as automotive, construction, design, packaging, and
aerospace. Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), which belongs to
the mulberry family (Moraceae), is a potential crop of trees
that is extensively grown worldwide [3, 4]. The unusually
shaped tree reaches a height of up to 30 m (100 feet) and
spreads laterally indefinitely. From its branches, aerial roots
sprout, descend, and take root in the ground to grow into
new trunks. Owing to a tangle of roots and trunks, one tree
may eventually become a highly dense thicket. The giant
banyan canopy covers around 4.721 acres of land in kadiri,
Andhra Pradesh, India. Banyan tree aerial roots are extracted
for their fiber, which composed mainly of cellulose, wax
matter, lignin, hemicellulose, and fatty substances. Flax
* Indran Suyambulingam
indransdesign@gmail.com
T Ganapathy
ganaskctmech@gmail.com
Suchart Siengchin
suchart.s.pe@tggs-bangkok.org
1 Department ofMechanical Engineering, S. Veerasamy
Chettiar College ofEngineering andTechnology, Tenkasi,
TamilNadu627855, India
2 Department ofMechanical Engineering, Karpagam Academy
ofHigher Education, Coimbatore, TamilNadu641021, India
3 Natural Composites Research Group Lab, Department
ofMaterials andProduction Engineering, The Sirindhorn
International Thai-German School ofEngineering (TGGS),
King Mongkut’s University ofTechnology North Bangkok
(KMUTNB), Bangkok10800, Thailand
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
... In the landscape of composite materials, a notable shift is occurring as the world pivots towards bio-based alternatives, spurred by a growing environmental consciousness. Synthetic fibers have long dominated, but the rise of natural fibers presents a compelling alternative with attributes such as availability, low cost, high specific strength, biodegradability, and reduced weight [1][2][3]. The increasing demand for bio-based composites aligns seamlessly with the global push for sustainable materials, finding applications across diverse sectors, from construction materials to automobile components [4,5]. ...
... It is also reported that eggshells have a relatively lower density compared to mineral calcium carbonate (density values obtained by using ASTM 679 of 0.4236 g/cm 3 for eggshell as compared with 0.4670 of commercial calcium carbonate or 0.4581 of talk) [17]. In previous studies, the mechanical and thermal properties of composites have been enhanced by reinforcing them with natural filler materials such as eggshell particles, walnut shells, wood particles, rice and corn husk, peanut shell powder, betel nut husk, and date seeds [2]. Biomass solid waste in the hybrid form of tamarind seed and date seed filler into vinyl ester polymer reinforced composite was investigated, revealing a significant enhancement in mechanical properties [18]. ...
... In this context, the current paper delves into the realm of natural fiber-reinforced composites, focusing specifically on a hybrid polyester composite comprised of jack tree and jute fibers with eggshell filler. The heightened environmental consciousness worldwide has propelled the exploration of natural fibers as a viable alternative to traditional synthetic fibers [2,3]. Composite materials, characterized by macroscopic homogeneity and microscopic heterogeneity, amalgamate distinct constituents to form materials with unique properties. ...
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... This will improve the overall strength features of the composite. Further, the Fig. 7 c) shows agglomeration and clustering effects on the composites PMB4 results uneven load distribution because of more particle one side and lesser filler particle on other side, leads reduced tensile strength [23]. ...
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... KP-1.5, and KP-2.0 composites increased by 90.24%, 85.58%, and 34.21%, compared to neat composites. Ganapathy et al. 43 reported that the addition of 2 wt% graphene had enhanced the flexural strength of the banyan/flax fiber composite by 41%. They also reported that adding a higher weight concentration of graphene (4, 6, and 8 wt%) has reduced the loading carrying ability due to aggregation. ...
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