Mechanical characterization of natural fiber composites prepared with untreated and treated ficus religiosa root fibers

Surface modification techniques are used to modify the surface of the natural fibers in order to improve the surface characteristics; in turn other relevant significant properties of the fiber and its composites. In the present work, epoxy composites have been prepared with the untreated and treated F. religiosa root fiber samples at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt.% fiber loading. Mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strength of the prepared composite specimens have been tested as per the ASTM standards. From the results, it has been identified that the strength of the proposed composites increases with the increase in fiber loading, and the composites made up of 20 wt.% of the NaOH solution treated fiber sample exhibits better properties under mechanical characterization study. Alkalization filled the holes, cracks, and pores on the outer layer of fibers and significantly improved the surface roughness, which was reflected in the improvement of the proposed composites.