Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis of Arenga Pinnata Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composites: Effects of Alkaline Treatment

Abstract

In present investigations, dynamic mechanical thermal behaviours of Arenga Pinnata fibres prior and after alkaline treatment were studied. The alkaline treatments were applied on the Arenga Pinnata fibres by immersed in the alkaline solution, 6% Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). Using hand lay-out technique, composites were fabricated at 20% and 40% by Arenga Pinnatafibres weight contents. The thermal behaviours of both untreated and treated composites were determined by employing Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMTA). The results shows that the treated fibres owned better results of Storage Modulus (E’), Loss Modulus (E”) and Tan Delta temperatures ranges from 0°C to 80°C