Utilization of Mucuna atropurpurea stem fiber as a reinforcement in fiber reinforced plastics

Abstract This research investigated the scope of using a fiber harvested from Mucuna atropurpurea (MAF) plant as reinforcement in fiber‐reinforced plastics. An optical microscope and a pycnometer were used to calculate the diameter (289 ± 21 μm) and density (1082 ± 29 kg/m 3 ) of the MAF. Using chemical compositional analysis, 58.74 ± 5.74 wt% cellulose and 16.31 ± 3.21 wt% hemicellulose, and 14.22 ± 3.36 wt% lignin and 0.38 ± 0.08 wt% wax components were found in the MAF. Numerous chemical stretching in the MAF were checked using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Briodo analysis (68.08 kJ/mol) showed the kinetic activation energy of the MAF. Surface morphological inspections suggested surface treatments of MAF due to contaminations and wax on the fiber surface. The statistical analysis conducted for determining the tensile properties of MAF revealed that MAF is a suitable candidate to produce fiber‐reinforced plastics. Characterization of MAF‐reinforced polyester composites showed that 40 mm fiber length and 30 wt% fiber enhanced tensile strength (109.51 ± 2.1 MPa), flexural strength (156.62 ± 3.1 MPa), and hardness (94 ± 4 HRRW). Fractography images of composites with fiber pull‐outs in the MAF‐reinforced plastics were taken for analysis. Less cavities and voids in the 30 wt% MAF‐reinforced composites were found along with reduced water absorption.