Enhancement of Mechanical and Water Resistance Characteristics of Pineapple Fiber Polymer Composites through Nano SiC Reinforcement

The research described in this article focuses on combining fiber and nano SiC into epoxy matrices
to create advanced composite materials. Our investigation has revealed significant advancements in the mechanical
characteristics and water resistance of these composites following a series of exhaustive tests. Tensile testing showed
that as the percentage of fiber increased, tensile strength significantly improved. Remarkably, Material 2, which is
composed of 40% fiber and 60% epoxy, showed the reinforcing effect of fiber dispersion with a tensile strength of
138 MPa. Materials 3, 4, and 5 were then treated with micro SiC to increase their tensile strength; Material 5 reached
a maximum of 156 MPa. Similar trends were shown in impact tests, where Material 2’s impact resistance surpassed
that of pure epoxy. Effective composite preparation is necessary, as evidenced by the even better impact resistance of
later composites with nano SiC added. These results were validated by hardness testing, which showed that materials
containing nano SiC and fiber had improved hardness values, suggesting a greater resistance to deformation. The research
revealed that altering the composite compositions led to a decrease in water absorption, highlighting the materials’
appropriateness for use in environments that are resistant to moisture. SEM examination has validated the uniform
dispersion and strong bond between the fibers and nano SiC particles; thus, the quality of the composite production is
confirmed by the results obtained. Therefore, the proposed epoxy composite with pineapple fiber and SiC nanoparticles
can be used in various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, and construction.