Enhancing Mechanical and Biodegradable Properties of Natural Fiber Composites

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Department of Mechanical Engineering have successfully developed an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fiber composites, using natural fiber composites that incorporate coconut shell bio-fillers. This innovative approach has shown significant improvements in mechanical properties and biodegradability. According to the study, the addition of coconut shell powder to epoxy resin resulted in polymer composites with enhanced hardness, flexural, impact, and tensile strengths.

The study, published in EPJ Web of Conferences, found that the coir fiber composites with 9% CSP added to it showed the most significant improvement in mechanical properties, with a 36.05% increase in hardness strength, a 30.85% increase in impact strength, a 62.06% increase in flexural strength, and a 33.13% increase in tensile strength. Moreover, the biodegradability tests revealed that the coir fiber composites' percentage weight loss at 9 weeks was remarkable, indicating their potential for use in tasks that demand higher mechanical strengths.

The researchers used cotton, coir, and flax fibers to create natural fiber composites and tested the effects of adding coconut shell powder to epoxy resin with varying concentrations of CSP. This research could lead to the development of sustainable materials for various applications.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study developed an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fiber composites using natural fiber composites with coconut shell bio-fillers.
  • The addition of coconut shell powder to epoxy resin resulted in polymer composites with enhanced mechanical properties.
  • The coir fiber composites with 9% CSP added to it showed the most significant improvement in mechanical properties, with a 36.05% increase in hardness strength, a 30.85% increase in impact strength, a 62.06% increase in flexural strength, and a 33.13% increase in tensile strength.
  • The biodegradability tests revealed that the coir fiber composites' percentage weight loss at 9 weeks was remarkable.
  • The research concluded that epoxy composites with fillers made of coconut shell could be used for tasks that demand higher mechanical strengths.
  • The study used cotton, coir, and flax fibers to create natural fiber composites.
  • The researchers tested the effects of adding coconut shell powder to epoxy resin with varying concentrations of CSP.

Statistics:

  • 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 wt. % concentrations of CSP were used in the study.
  • 36.05% increase in hardness strength for coir fiber composites with 9% CSP.
  • 30.85% increase in impact strength for coir fiber composites with 9% CSP.
  • 62.06% increase in flexural strength for coir fiber composites with 9% CSP.
  • 33.13% increase in tensile strength for coir fiber composites with 9% CSP.
  • 9 weeks was the duration of the biodegradability tests.

Sources:

  • Enhancing Mechanical and Biodegradable Properties of Natural Fiber Composites using Coconut Shell Bio-Filler. EPJ Web of Conferences, 2025, 336():01002.
  • Department of Mechanical Engineering Researchers Update Current Data on Physics (Enhancing Mechanical and Biodegradable Properties of Natural Fiber Composites using Coconut Shell Bio-Filler). Physics Week. October 21, 2025; p 63.