Surface-modified and Untreated Cissus Quadrangularis Reinforced Polylactic Composite

Natural biodegradable composites are an excellent alternative for synthetic fiber reinforced composites as they have the inherent advantages of being lightweight, eco-friendly, sustainable, and biodegradable. This paper studies Cissus quadrangularis fiber reinforced polylactic acid matrix biodegradable composite fabricated by extrusion and injection moulding. Two alternative composites, with untreated and 10% sodium hydroxide alkali-treated Cissus quadrangularis fibers, are made with 5% fiber weight and polylactic acid matrix. The mechanical characterization and interfacial bonding strength of the untreated Cissus quadrangularis fiber reinforced with polylactic acid (UCQF/PLA) composite and 10 % sodium hydroxide treated Cissus quadrangularis fiber reinforced with polylactic acid (TCQF/PLA) composite. The results confirm that the TCQF/PLA treated fiber composite offers 16.53% higher tensile strength than the UCQF/PLA composite. Similarly, impact and flexural strength of the TCQF/PLA composite is 13.18% and 2.145%, respectively, higher than the UCQF/PLA composite material. A Field emission scanning electron microscope examines the interfacial bonding properties of the composites. The element constituents are determined using Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. In short, the TCQF/PLA composite attained better mechanical properties than the UCQF/PLA composite and can, therefore the alkali treated composites be used light weight applications in automobile and agricultural applications than the untreated composite due to its higher mechanical property.