Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Thermal Investigation of Hybrid Banana/Sisal Fiber Reinforced Polyester Matrix Composite

Abstract

The key focus of this work was to examine the effect of hybrid fiber reinforcement on thethermal properties of particulate based natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composites. Banana and sisal fiberswere selected as natural fiber reinforcements for the polyester matrix based composites, which wereproduced by mechanical stir mix technique. Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Fourier-TransformInfrared Spectroscopy (FTIS) were conducted in accordance with American Society for Testing andMaterials (ASTM) standards for the characterization of the hybrid composites. The FTIS result shows thedisappearance of 1735 cm-1 peak, a notable evidence of NaOH treatment. The thermal analysis showedthat the hybridization significantly affected the high temperature stability of the composite, with 70%Sisal/30%Banana found to have the lowest high temperature mass loss at a temperature of 300–520oC, thushighest high temperature stability. Derivative Thermogravimetry (DTG) results shows a minor mass lossrate at a temperature range of 50–150oC as well as a major mass loss rate due to pyrolysis of key fiberconstituents such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin between 260 and 350oC. Also it was observed thatas the percentage of banana in the hybrid fiber increases the speed of high temperature mass loss reduces.