Formulation and characterization of amaranthus viridis stem fiber reinforced polymer composites with bio silica enrichment

Abstract

Using the Amaranthus viridis stem fiber treated with silane, an epoxy newlineresin composite was developed for use in industrial applications. The primary newlineobjective was to investigate the influence of silane surface modified biosilica newlineon the mechanical, V-notched rail shear, wear properties, Flammability, newlinefatigue properties, hydrophobicity, and drilling characteristics of fabricated newlinehybrid epoxy composites using Amaranthus viridis stem fiber and Cassava newlineskin bio-silica particle. The matrix was an epoxy resin based on bisphenol, newlineand the major reinforcing was cellulose-free Amaranthus viridis stem fiber. newlineAdditionally, there was a secondary reinforcement to modify the molecular newlinecharacteristics of the base matrix. In this study, 20 nm bio silica particles newlineextracted from Cassava skin were employed as a supplementary newlinereinforcement. 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane was utilized to modify the newlinesurfaces of the fibers and the particles. Aqueous acetone was used as a newlinecatalyst in the silane surface treatment method. Composites were made by newlinehand lay-up method and cured at room temperature for 24 hours before being newlinepost-cured for an additional 48 hours. Molded epoxy hybrid composite was newlinecut using an abrasive water jet machine set to specifications to produce test newlinespecimens conforming to ASTM standards. newline