Effect of alkali treatment on mechanical properties and morphology of the Balanites aegyptiaca composite

The reinforcement of natural fibers in polymer composites is becoming more popular as time goes on due to their biodegradability, availability, lightweight, nontoxic, and nonhazardous characteristics. The goal of this research is to use natural resources like fibers in polymer composites. The matrix was made with the composites of epoxy resin in which fibers derived from the tree of Balanites Balanites aegyptiaca were utilized as reinforcement. To enhance the surface properties of these fibers, they were treated with sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH). By varying weight (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%) of the raw fibers treated with NaOH in epoxy resin several composite samples were produced using the hand lay-up technique. The effect of adding Balanites aegyptiaca fibers treated with NaOH to measure mechanical properties such as tensile, bending, and impact, as well as absorption of water and chemical resistance, and SEM morphology was studied. The composite with 15 wt.% Balanites aegyptiaca fibers exhibited the best mechanical properties, absorption of water, and chemical resistance to the composites, indicating that it has the strongest bonding and adhesion between fibers treated with NaOH and epoxy matrix. The surfaces of the tested composites displayed an interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the fibers, which is vividly visible in SEM micrographs of the fractured surfaces of tested composites. The composites that are reinforced with fiber and treated with NaOH are more resistant to water and chemicals than composites with untreated fibers.