Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Borassus Husk Fiber Reinforced Epoxy: Evaluating Suitability for Advanced Aerospace and Automotive Applications

ABSTRACT This study investigates the effect of elevated temperatures on the mechanical properties of Borassus husk fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites, focusing on their potential for aerospace internal structural components. Composites were fabricated using Borassus husk fibers incorporated with epox...

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Main Authors: Md Atiqur Rahman, Mamadou Ndiaye, Bartosz Weclawski, Peter Farrell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-04-01
Series:Engineering Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/eng2.70102
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author Md Atiqur Rahman
Mamadou Ndiaye
Bartosz Weclawski
Peter Farrell
author_facet Md Atiqur Rahman
Mamadou Ndiaye
Bartosz Weclawski
Peter Farrell
author_sort Md Atiqur Rahman
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT This study investigates the effect of elevated temperatures on the mechanical properties of Borassus husk fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites, focusing on their potential for aerospace internal structural components. Composites were fabricated using Borassus husk fibers incorporated with epoxy resin, including 5% alkali‐treated fibers (treated for varying durations) to improve adhesion. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) was performed according to ASTM D5418‐01 standards. Results revealed that both untreated and alkali‐treated fibers enhanced the storage modulus of the composites. The highest loss modulus was observed for the composite with 1‐h treated fibers. The glass transition temperature (Tg), determined from the peak loss modulus, was significantly higher (84°C–89°C) for treated Borassus husk fiber/epoxy composites compared to neat epoxy and composites reinforced with other natural fibers, such as flax, jute, palm sprout, date palm, sisal, and kenaf. Alkali treatment also notably increased the tan δ (damping factor), with the highest value (1.2) for the 0.75‐h treated fiber composite, outperforming several other natural fiber‐epoxy composites. Cole–Cole plots indicated improved resin‐fiber adhesion for composites containing 0.75‐ and 1‐h treated husk fibers. Phase angle data confirmed enhanced energy dissipation and viscoelastic behavior. Thermo‐mechanical stability improved, with the 0.75‐h treated fiber composite showing the lowest total mass loss (0.4%). Overall, alkali‐treated Borassus husk fiber composites exhibited superior mechanical stiffness, damping capacity, and thermal stability, making them ideal for aerospace and automotive applications requiring strength, impact resistance, and sustainability. It will also contribute to achieving the “net‐zero” target established in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
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spelling doaj-art-af79cd4087ce4909b66f8756c9bc33012025-08-20T03:12:02ZengWileyEngineering Reports2577-81962025-04-0174n/an/a10.1002/eng2.70102Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Borassus Husk Fiber Reinforced Epoxy: Evaluating Suitability for Advanced Aerospace and Automotive ApplicationsMd Atiqur Rahman0Mamadou Ndiaye1Bartosz Weclawski2Peter Farrell3Institute for Materials Research and Innovation, University of Bolton Bolton UKInstitute for Materials Research and Innovation, University of Bolton Bolton UKInstitute for Materials Research and Innovation, University of Bolton Bolton UKInstitute for Materials Research and Innovation, University of Bolton Bolton UKABSTRACT This study investigates the effect of elevated temperatures on the mechanical properties of Borassus husk fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites, focusing on their potential for aerospace internal structural components. Composites were fabricated using Borassus husk fibers incorporated with epoxy resin, including 5% alkali‐treated fibers (treated for varying durations) to improve adhesion. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) was performed according to ASTM D5418‐01 standards. Results revealed that both untreated and alkali‐treated fibers enhanced the storage modulus of the composites. The highest loss modulus was observed for the composite with 1‐h treated fibers. The glass transition temperature (Tg), determined from the peak loss modulus, was significantly higher (84°C–89°C) for treated Borassus husk fiber/epoxy composites compared to neat epoxy and composites reinforced with other natural fibers, such as flax, jute, palm sprout, date palm, sisal, and kenaf. Alkali treatment also notably increased the tan δ (damping factor), with the highest value (1.2) for the 0.75‐h treated fiber composite, outperforming several other natural fiber‐epoxy composites. Cole–Cole plots indicated improved resin‐fiber adhesion for composites containing 0.75‐ and 1‐h treated husk fibers. Phase angle data confirmed enhanced energy dissipation and viscoelastic behavior. Thermo‐mechanical stability improved, with the 0.75‐h treated fiber composite showing the lowest total mass loss (0.4%). Overall, alkali‐treated Borassus husk fiber composites exhibited superior mechanical stiffness, damping capacity, and thermal stability, making them ideal for aerospace and automotive applications requiring strength, impact resistance, and sustainability. It will also contribute to achieving the “net‐zero” target established in the 2015 Paris Agreement.https://doi.org/10.1002/eng2.70102aerospace and automobileagro‐wasteBorassus flabellifer husk fiberdynamic mechanical analysissustainable composite
spellingShingle Md Atiqur Rahman
Mamadou Ndiaye
Bartosz Weclawski
Peter Farrell
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Borassus Husk Fiber Reinforced Epoxy: Evaluating Suitability for Advanced Aerospace and Automotive Applications
Engineering Reports
aerospace and automobile
agro‐waste
Borassus flabellifer husk fiber
dynamic mechanical analysis
sustainable composite
title Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Borassus Husk Fiber Reinforced Epoxy: Evaluating Suitability for Advanced Aerospace and Automotive Applications
title_full Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Borassus Husk Fiber Reinforced Epoxy: Evaluating Suitability for Advanced Aerospace and Automotive Applications
title_fullStr Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Borassus Husk Fiber Reinforced Epoxy: Evaluating Suitability for Advanced Aerospace and Automotive Applications
title_full_unstemmed Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Borassus Husk Fiber Reinforced Epoxy: Evaluating Suitability for Advanced Aerospace and Automotive Applications
title_short Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Borassus Husk Fiber Reinforced Epoxy: Evaluating Suitability for Advanced Aerospace and Automotive Applications
title_sort dynamic mechanical analysis of borassus husk fiber reinforced epoxy evaluating suitability for advanced aerospace and automotive applications
topic aerospace and automobile
agro‐waste
Borassus flabellifer husk fiber
dynamic mechanical analysis
sustainable composite
url https://doi.org/10.1002/eng2.70102
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AT bartoszweclawski dynamicmechanicalanalysisofborassushuskfiberreinforcedepoxyevaluatingsuitabilityforadvancedaerospaceandautomotiveapplications
AT peterfarrell dynamicmechanicalanalysisofborassushuskfiberreinforcedepoxyevaluatingsuitabilityforadvancedaerospaceandautomotiveapplications