Mechanical and thermal properties of Careya arborea bast fiber–reinforced chitosan composites for packaging industries

This study examines the mechanical and thermal properties of composite made of chitosan and careya arborea bast fiber (CA) that was chemically treated in alkaline solution. Six different types of composite samples were created by changing the proportions of CA fiber during the hand lay-up procedure. According to ASTM standards, tensile, flexural, compression, and impact tests were carried out. After the tensile test was conducted, the fractured surface was examined by a scanning electron microscope. It was observed that the composites with treated CA fiber show improved mechanical properties as compared with untreated CA fiber as reinforcement. Further, it was noticed that the mechanical properties increase with increase in CA fiber loading till optimum (20 wt%) and thereafter declines. The mechanical properties obtained at 20 wt% fiber loading was found to be 58.95 MPa tensile strength, 48.29 MPa of flexural strength, and 27.89 kJ/m² impact strength. Analysis methods included X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Overall, the findings demonstrate that chemically treated CA fiber reinforcement in chitosan matrix enhances the properties of fabricated composite materials. In comparison to other fabricated composites, it was discovered that composites with a 20 wt% fiber content exhibit improved static, dynamic, and thermal properties and can be useful for packaging industries.