Title
Investigation of nano alumina and surface treatment effects on physical and mechanical properties of areca fiber reinforced epoxy composites
Authors
SIVA BHASKARA RAO DEVIREDDY, KHANDAVALLI SUNIL RATNA KUMAR, RAVI LALITHA NARAYANA, GOPALA RAO THELLAPUTTA and KATURU BALA PRASAD

Received September 2, 2025
Published Volume 60 Issue 5-6 May-June
Keywords areca fiber, mechanical properties, nanofiller, NaOH treatment

Abstract
This study explores the effects of nano alumina and surface treatment on the physical and mechanical performance of areca palm stem (APS) fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The composite samples were prepared using the conventional hand layup method, maintaining a constant APS fiber content of 20 wt%, while varying sodium hydroxide concentrations (0%, 3%, 6%, and 9%) and nano alumina filler loadings (0 wt%, 2.5 wt%, 5 wt%, and 7.5 wt%). This study demonstrates that incorporating alumina nanofillers and sodium hydroxide treatment of fibers can enhance the mechanical properties of APS fiber reinforced composites. The incorporation of alumina nanoparticles into treated composites enhanced elasticity, toughness, strength, ductility, and hardness as the nanofiller concentration increased up to 5 wt%. Compared to untreated composites, incorporating 6% sodium hydroxide treated areca fibers and 5 wt% nanofillers leads to a 53.60% improvement in tensile strength and a 43.05% improvement in flexural strength. The maximum impact energy (5.81 J) and hardness (59.5 HV) are achieved at 7.5 wt% nano alumina reinforced APS fiber composites treated with 6% sodium hydroxide. Morphological analysis conducted with a scanning electron microscope revealed various defects such as fiber pull-outs, interfacial behaviour issues, internal cracks, and voids.