Investigating Synergistically Modified Wheat Straw Residual Filler-based Biocomposite Tiles

Tiles are generally manufactured using ceramic materials or concrete. An attempt has been made here to manufacture tiles using thermoset polymer epoxy resin as matrix and waste wheat straw residue as filler. Wheat straw residual filler was efficiently incorporated within epoxy resin matrix to fabricate a range of biocomposite tiles. Two different loading levels of filler were subjected to either alkali (NaOH) treatment or a combination of silane and alkali treatment. These biocomposite tiles were investigated for microstructural changes and various mechanical, physical and thermal properties. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy studies indicated strong interactions of the functional groups of epoxy resin and wheat straw filler. Fractured biocomposite samples observed under field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) further suggested better bonding between filler and matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed enhanced thermal stability upon dual treatment. Substantial improvements in water resistance, flexural strength and flexural modulus of biocomposite samples also could be achieved upon dual treatment.