Study on mechanical, thermal and morphology behaviour of sisal/bentonite nanoclay reinforced cardanol biopolymer composites

This study aims to synthesize and characterize a bioresin named cardanol from cashew nutshell liquid and use it to create novel polymer composites. Sisal fibres were dried out in an oven to reduce humidity. These fibres were then cut into 15 mm lengths and chemically treated using an alkaline process. Compression moulding was used to make polymer composites of cardanol reinforced with 15% wt% 15 mm sisal fibre and bentonite nanoclay (with nanoclay levels of 0%, 1%, 3%, 5% and 7%). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the bioresin cardanol. The mechanical behaviour for cardanol nanocomposites was assessed using tensile, flexural and impact tests and a water absorption test. Furthermore, the thermal and morphology behaviour of cardanol nanoclay composites was examined. The results confirm that increasing the range of nanoclay by up to 5% enhanced mechanical characteristics. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry.