Mechanical Strength and Water Absorption Analysis of Silane Treated Kenaf Natural Composites With Silicon Nanoparticles

Abstract This research is mainly focused on the analysis of tensile and flexural strength, water absorption angle measurement of untreated and silane treatment of natural kenaf fiber composites reinforced with silicon nanoparticles. The percentages of nano silicon were 0.5 wt%, 1.5 wt% and 2.5 wt%. Before reinforcement, the kenaf fiber was treated with silane solution ( 90 vol% of water and 10 vol% of pure silane) to enhance the bonding strength. The composites samples were prepared using Epoxy, Kenaf and Silicon nanoparticle (EKS) by the compression moulding process. The tensile and flexural strength were measured about automobile interior application. Moreover, the samples were immersed in water for 24 hours with different environmental conditions. The results indicated that the tensile strength of epoxy improved from 8-9% when increasing the nanoparticles. Also, it was found that 3-5% of strength enhancement in silane treated samples than untreated composites. Similarly, the flexural strength of silane treated samples were found higher about 4% than untreated samples. And, lower water absorption was noted with silane treated than untreated kenaf hybrid composites, which tends to improve the bonding. It causes improvements in mechanical strength with silane treated kenaf hybrid composites.