2. Investigation of Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Properties of Betel Nut Husk and Sugarcane Bagasse Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Polypropylene Composites: Effect of Fiber Loading, Fiber Ratio, and Chemical Treatment

Investigation of Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Properties of Betel Nut Husk and Sugarcane Bagasse Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Polypropylene Composites: Effect of Fiber Loading, Fiber Ratio, and Chemical Treatment

This study investigates the mechanical, thermal, morphological, and tribological properties of betel nut husk and sugarcane bagasse fiber-reinforced hybrid polypropylene composites, with a focus on the effect of fiber ratio and chemical treatment. The composites were prepared with varying fiber contents and fiber loading and subjected to NaOH treatment to enhance fiber-matrix adhesion. A series of characterization tests, including tensile, flexural, impact, water absorption, SEM, FTIR, and TGA, were conducted to evaluate the composites' performance. Results showed that chemical treatment improved interfacial bonding, leading to enhanced mechanical properties and reduced water absorption. However, increasing fiber loading negatively affected tensile strength due to fiber agglomeration and weak stress transfer. Thermal analysis confirmed improved thermal stability post-treatment. These findings suggest that optimizing fiber content and treatment methods can enhance the overall performance of natural fiber-reinforced composites for sustainable material applications.