Mechanical Performance Enhancement of Sugarcane Bagasse Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites through Chemical Fiber Modification
Keywords:
Sugarcane bagasse fiber; Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites; Biomass waste valorization; Chemical surface treatment; Dynamic mechanical analysis; Water absorption behavior; Sustainable materials; Green composites.Abstract
The increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly materials has accelerated the development of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs) as viable alternatives to conventional synthetic composites. Among various agricultural residues, sugarcane bagasse represents an abundant biomass waste resource with significant potential for value-added engineering applications. This study investigates the fabrication and characterization of sugarcane bagasse fiber-reinforced polymer composites using chemical surface modification techniques, namely sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and acetic acid (AA) treatments. The influence of fiber treatment and fiber loading on the mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and water absorption properties of the developed biocomposites was systematically evaluated. Experimental results revealed that chemically treated fiber composites exhibited superior performance compared to untreated counterparts due to enhanced fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion. In particular, AA-treated bagasse fiber composites demonstrated higher tensile and flexural properties than NaOH-treated composites across different fiber loadings. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) further confirmed improved viscoelastic behavior, with treated fiber composites showing increased storage modulus and enhanced stiffness, indicating better load transfer efficiency within the polymer matrix. Additionally, water uptake studies demonstrated a significant reduction in moisture absorption for treated fiber composites, highlighting the effectiveness of chemical modification in improving dimensional stability and durability. The findings suggest that chemically treated sugarcane bagasse fiber composites offer a promising sustainable material solution for industrial and structural applications, contributing to waste valorization, resource efficiency, and the advancement of eco-friendly composite technologies.
