Impact response of Napier fibre reinforced nanomodified epoxy composites

The effects of nanoclay filler content on the impact properties of Napier fibre reinforced epoxy composites were investigated. The natural fibre based composites were fabricated using either untreated or 5% alkali-treated Napier fibre along with nanomodified epoxy resin which consists of various nanoclay filler contents which were 0, 3, 5 and 10 wt%. The composites were manufactured using cold compression moulding process. Morphological analysis was then conducted to further analyse the fractured specimens following the impact test. The maximum impact properties were recorded by the treated Napier fibre reinforced nanomodified epoxy with 3 wt% of nanoclay filler content. The SEM image of the Napier fibre reinforced nanomodified epoxy composites at the optimal nanofiller content also exhibited excellent interfacial adhesion between the epoxy matrix and the fibre reinforcement. (paper)