Development and characterization of epoxy resin composite reinforced with bamboo fiber and bagasse as filler

Purpose Recently, composites have concerned considerable importance as a potential operational material. Lots of work have been carried out to enhance the mechanical properties of composites. The main aim of this paper is to develop bamboo mat as reinforcing material with bagasse fiber as filler using epoxy resin matrix composite. Design/methodology/approach In this research, the effect of fiber surface treatments on mechanical properties of epoxy resin composite with bagasse as filler has been developed and investigated. The extracted bamboo fibers were treated with NaOH to improve the surface roughness fiber. Using treated and untreated bamboo fiber handwoven mat has been produced to be used as reinforcement and bagasse fiber has been converted into powder to be filled as filler. Composite material is fabricated using bamboo fiber and bagasse fiber as filler with epoxy resin as a matrix using hand layup technique. Findings Then, tensile, flexural and compressive strength and water absorption tests were conducted on sodium hydroxide treated and untreated fiber composites. The test results comparing with and without alkali treated composites show that there was significant change in their strength and water absorption properties on alkali treated fiber. Originality/value This study is an original research paper.