Effect of moringa filler powder in Eichhornia crassipes fibre-reinforced polymer composites: advancement in mechanical properties and environmental sustainability

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the mechanical, thermal, morphological, and characterization properties of a polymer composite composed of water hyacinth plant fibres. In order to improve the mechanical properties of the composite specimens, a new powder derived from the moringa plant was used for the first time as a filler material in the water hyacinth plant-reinforced polymer composites. In this study, composite specimens were prepared using a hot compression moulding machine. The weight percentage of moringa resin filler powder and hyacinth fibre was varied during the process from 2.5 to 7.5% and 15 to 35%. The resulting tensile strength ranged from 18.24 MPa to 32.14 MPa, flexural strength ranged from 38.64 to 56.32 MPa, impact strength ranged from 1 to 3.75 J, and hardness ranged from 66 to 98 Shore D hardness. The composite sample containing 5% moringa filler powder and 30% WH fibre content achieved high mechanical strength, maximum decomposition temperatures, and high crystallinity percentages. It exhibited 11–13% higher strength compared to the other samples. Absorption studies showed weight gains of 3.42% and 4.45% for water and chemical absorption, respectively. The fracture surfaces of the composite specimens were analysed using the SEM technique. The fabricated composites could be useful for particle board and medium density fibre board applications.