Effect of alkali treatment on properties of Palmyra palm tree primary flower leaf stalk fiber–reinforced polymer composites

The present research study focusing on the investigation of natural fibers stems from the demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives across various industries. In India, where Palmyra palm trees are extensively cultivated for their fruit, the discarded fruit leaf stalks serve as agricultural waste after the fruit is harvested from the trees. This research work focuses on the examination of the static mechanical characteristics (tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA and DTA), moisture absorption test, and scanning electron microscopic analysis (SEM) of alkali-treated Palmyra palm tree primary flower leaf stalk fibers (PPFLSF) incorporated in polymer composites with lengths of 3 mm (3APPFLSFC), 6 mm (6APPFLSFC), and 9 mm (9APPFLSFC). The alkali-treated Palmyra palm tree primary flower leaf stalk fiber–reinforced polymer composite plates (APPFLSFC) were manufactured using the compression molding technique. The key findings indicate that the 6 mm 6APPFLSFC composite exhibited exceptional mechanical properties with maximum tensile strength (29.31 MPa), flexural strength (48.43 MPa), impact strength (7.23 kJ/m 2 ), and hardness (14.54 Hv). Additionally, thermal analysis (TGA and DTA) revealed the thermal stability of the extracted APPFLSFC, showing a maximum degradation temperature of 290 °C with a residual mass of 16%. Notably, the 9APPFLSFC composite demonstrated lower water absorption and thickness swelling compared to other composites. The SEM analysis provided insights into the surface characteristics of the composites, including matrix crack, impurities, and fiber pull-out. These findings signify the potential of developing lightweight composites with enhanced strength and stiffness suitable for applications in roof panels, door panels, insulation, and other related areas. The introduction of alkali-treated Palmyra palm tree primary flower leaf stalk fibers (PPFLSF) as reinforcement material opens new possibilities for sustainable and eco-friendly composite materials with promising mechanical and thermal properties.