In the current research work, the fibers have undergone chemical surface treatments in an effort to strengthen the interfacial interaction between the Epoxy matrix and Bauhinia Purpurea L fibers (BPFs). NaOH treatment was performed to modify the surface of BPFs, and treated samples with varying concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) were individually used for composite fabrication. Among the untreated purple Bauhinia Purpurea L Fiber/Epoxy (BPFE) composites, the NaOH-treated BPFE composites exhibited better mechanical characteristics such as tensile, flexural, impact, shore-D hardness, and vibration properties. BPFE composites showed a regular trend of an increase in properties with fiber NaOH treatment weight concentration percent until 15% and afterward a decrease in properties for composites with greater NaOH treatment weight concentration at 20%. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the surface morphology of the composites' fracture surfaces was documented. The SEM micrographs show a considerable improvement in the interfacial bonding between the Epoxy matrix and the NaOH treatment-treated. Based on these findings, it appears that NaOH-treated Randomly oriented Bauhinia Purpurea L fiber composites as sustainable materials with adjustable characteristics for various biomedical applications.
Rajeshkumar et al. (Tue,) studied this question.