Development and characterization of laminated fiber reinforced bio-Composite From nettle and poly lactic acid fiber

Nettle and Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) fibers are the strongest and best fibers with valuable potential as reinforcement in a composite. In this study, the development and characterization of a multi-layered laminated fibre reinforced bio-composite from nettle and PLA fiber were performed. Prior to molding, the nettle fibers were treated with chemicals such as Alkali and silane and the influence of chemical treatment on the property of nettle fibers were investigated. The characteristics of raw and chemically treated nettle fibers were investigated through chemical composition analysis, mechanical properties, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and water sorption test. Furthermore physical and mechanical properties of the nettle/PLA bio-composite have been analyzed. Twenty (20) samples of treated and untreated nettle fiber and five samples of nettle/PLA fiber reinforcement bio-composites were tested and the results were averaged for comparison with one another. Based on the results obtained, the treated fiber improves tensile strength, has a more uniform and smaller diameter, a clean surface, and has a good appearance compared to untreated fiber. Laminated bio-composites were found to increase initially with the increase of nettle fiber content till 50 weight % and decrease afterwards. Generally, the bio-composite prepared with an equal weight proportion of nettle and poly lactic acid fiber obtained better mechanical properties and tensile strength. Water sorption test results showed that water uptake ability of treated nettle fibers were lower than raw nettle fibers.