Agri-residual Filler Based Bio-Composites: Synergistic Effect of Organo-sulfide Coupling Agent and Alkali Treatment on Mechanical Properties

With growing consumer awareness, carbon footprint and waste disposal challenges, there is an increasing demand for the use of agricultural wastes in developing value-added structural components. In this current study, commercially available epoxy resin has been reinforced with chemically modified wheat straw filler. Particulate wheat straw fillers were undergone alkaline treatment to remove selective and non-essential components. Alkaline modified samples were then treated with organo-sulfide based coupling agent to enhance filler/matrix interfacial compatibility. The bio-composite samples were developed using casting technique. The cast samples were tested for their mechanical strengths using compression and flexural tests. The results indicated that the use of coupling agent and alkaline treatment led to improvement of mechanical strength in a synergistic manner. Optical micrographs of fractured surfaces also revealed morphological features which could be correlated to the mechanical performance of the bio-composites.