Experimental study demonstrates enhanced acoustic resonance and preserved strength in surface-modified ramie-epoxy composites, highlighting their potential as sustainable tonewoods.
Natural fiber composites require a balance between reinforcement architecture and fiber–matrix interactions for favorable mechanical and vibroacoustic performance. This study examined the effects of weave architecture (plain, twill, satin) and surface modification, plasma (5–20 s) and alkaline treatment (4–8 wt% NaOH) on ramie‐blended woven epoxy composites fabricated by vacuum‐assisted resin infusion. Composites were characterized for fiber volume fraction, mechanical properties, wettability, specific dynamic modulus ( E / ρ ), and acoustic radiation ratio ( R = E / ρ 3 ). Plain weave exhibited the highest fiber volume fraction (≈32% vs. ≈26% twill, ≈23% satin) and best mechanical–vibroacoustic balance. Contact angle measurements showed an initial decrease at low alkaline concentration then a progressive increase at higher concentrations, and a progressive decrease under plasma (54.90° → 50.80° at 20 s). Alkaline treatment at 8 wt% NaOH maximized R (> 3 m 4 kg −3 s −1 ) but reduced weft‐direction flexural strength by 39.8%. Plasma treatment for 20 s increased specific dynamic modulus by 25% and sound velocity to 2600 m/s while retaining 97.4% of untreated flexural strength. The optimized composite achieved acoustic properties comparable to Ailanthus wood with superior flexural strength, establishing ramie‐blended woven epoxy composites as sustainable platforms for resonant structural applications.
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Ghani et al. (2026) studied this question.
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