Performance Analysis of NaOH-Treated Randomly Oriented Bauhinia Purpurea L Fiber/Epoxy (BPFE) Composites: Mechanical and Free Vibration Studies for Biomedical Applications

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.