Affiliation:
1. Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Chennai India
2. Department of Biomedical Engineering Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education Krishnankoil India
3. Department of Mechanical Engineering Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education Krishnankoil India
4. Institute of Agricultural Engineering Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Chennai India
5. Department of Mechanical Engineering Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Chennai India
Abstract
AbstractThe use of industrial waste red mud in polymer composites promotes environmental sustainability by mitigating the environmental impacts associated with landfill disposal. Previous research by the authors on red mud sisal fiber composites resulted in increased strength; it is expected that the strength can be increased further through fiber treatment. As a result, the current study sought to examine the effects of chemical‐treated sisal fiber reinforcement on the mechanical properties of red mud composites. Alkaline treatment and silane treatment were both used as chemical treatment methods. Red mud was added in three different weight percentages, and composites were built using the compression molding method and tested for hardness, tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength. The findings indicate that the strength of the composite increases with the incorporation of treated fibers, silane‐treated 30% red mud composites showed a maximum hardness of around 92 shore D. The tensile strength of the composites containing 20% red mud and treated with silane was the highest, reaching ca. 63 MPa. This significant increase in strength was attributed to the formation of strong interfacial bonding between the red mud, fiber, and matrix. Furthermore, the silane‐treated 20 wt% red mud composites have the highest flexural strength (ca. 244 MPa) and impact strength (ca. 26 J/m). However, increasing the red mud content above 20 wt% resulted in decreased tensile, flexural, and impact strength due to poor bond development, and red mud agglomeration. The findings of this study are beneficial for the design and development of composites based on red mud, as well as for promoting sustainable waste management practices.Highlights
Red mud composites achieve superior mechanical strength.
Chemical treatment enhances sisal fiber reinforcement.
Sustainable waste management promoted through composite utilization.
Strong interfacial bonding improves composite performance.
Subject
Materials Chemistry,Polymers and Plastics,General Chemistry,Ceramics and Composites