Characterization of Hedychium coronarium fiber and evaluation of its reinforcement in epoxy resin

The replacement of synthetic fibers with lignocellulosic reinforcements has gained increasing attention due to their low cost, renewability, and environmental benefits. In this context, Hedychium coronarium (wild ginger), an invasive species with high biomass yield, was investigated as a novel fiber source for epoxy composites. Leaf sheath fibers (FLHC) were characterized for chemical composition, crystallinity (73.23%), crystallite size (2.56 nm), morphology, and tensile strength (196.6 MPa). Epoxy composites reinforced with 10, 20, and 30 wt% FLHC were evaluated through mechanical testing, thermal analysis (TGA/DTG), FTIR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Fiber incorporation progressively enhanced tensile strength (59.98 MPa at 30 wt% loading), increased the elastic modulus by up to 250%, and tripled impact resistance, although limited fiber–matrix adhesion constrained further improvements in toughness. This study is novel in demonstrating, for the first time, that FLHC can function as a high‑quality reinforcement in epoxy composites, reducing demand for synthetic resins and valorising biomass from an invasive species.