Thermomechanical properties of woven abaca fiber‐reinforced nanocomposites

Abstract In this study, natural fiber‐reinforced polymer nanocomposites were prepared from high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), abaca fiber, and nanoprecipitated calcium carbonate (NPCC) using the hot press technique. The study investigated the influence of untreated and alkali‐treated woven abaca fabric and NPCC hybrid reinforcement on the thermomechanical behavior of the natural fiber composites. The HDPE with different amounts of NPCC was melt‐blended in a twin‐screw extruder followed by hot press to produce sheets. A lamination of composites containing alternating layers of HDPE sheets with different amounts of NPCC and layers of untreated and alkali‐treated woven abaca fabric was produced using a hot press machine. The resulting material was composed of 20% weight ratio of woven abaca fibers. The tensile strength showed that the nanocomposite exhibited a high tensile value of 60.1 MPa with alkali‐treated abaca and 1% NPCC. However, a further increase in the NPCC concentration beyond 1% reduced the mechanical strength of the nanocomposite. The thermal stability of the abaca fiber‐reinforced nanocomposite improved with addition of NPCC. Scanning electron microscopic analysis demonstrated that alkali‐treated abaca and 1% NPCC improved the adhesion and compatibility between the fiber and polymer matrix. The potential applications of this natural fiber‐reinforced composite are for automotive and construction materials.