Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

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Mechanical and water absorption properties of Acacia Arabica bark fiber/

polyester composites: Effect of alkali treatment and fiber volume
fraction
Sakthi vadivel K. a,⇑, Govindasamy P. b
a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Builders Engineering College, Tirupur, Tamilnadu, India
b
Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology, Pollachi, Tamilnadu, India

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: In this work, the water absorption and mechanical properties of alkali (NaOH) treated and untreated
Received 17 January 2021 Acacia Arabica bark fiber composites were fabricated by hand lay-up technique. Effect of chemically trea-
Received in revised form 11 March 2021 ted fiber increased the surface roughness and mechanical properties as well as decreased the water
Accepted 6 April 2021
absorption. Moreover, fibers were randomly oriented varying from 10% to 35% volume fraction (Vf)
Available online xxxx
and also varying in the length of 10 mm to 50 mm. Tensile, flexural and water absorption tests were con-
ducted as per ASTM standard. It was found that, the 25% volume fraction with 30 mm length of fiber had
Keywords:
better properties compared with other compositions. The fractured specimens of tensile and flexural test
Mechanical properties
Acacia Arabica fiber
were evaluated under scanning electron microscope to study the fiber pull-outs of the materials.
Surface roughness Ó 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Alkali treatments Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Confer-
ence on Multifunctional Nanomaterials.

1. Introduction
In recent years the awareness of using natural fibers are in high
because of low weight and high strength. The natural fibers are
extracted from natural plant so the fibers are economical. There
has been a rapid growth in investigation in the natural fiber com-
posite region. Compared to other materials like synthetic, the nat-
ural fiber composite has more advantages in the same way low
environmental impact and countless potential of applications
[1,2]. The unidirectional kenaf fibers composite are manufactured
by using PLA resin, the biodegradable composite materials were
evaluated by means of tensile and flexural strength [3]. Investi-
gated the natural coir fibers extracted from coconut that is very
cheap and abundantly available in India and evaluated the
mechanical properties of natural fiber coir/epoxy and compared
with glass fiber/epoxy [4]. Sisal and Roselle fiber hybrid composite
materials are laminated by using unsaturated polyester resin. The
fibers were extracted by simple manual method from sisal leaf
and Roselle plant available in south Indian regions. Laminates were
fabricated and evaluated the mechanical properties by varying the
⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail address: ksakthivadivel@gmail.com (K. Sakthi vadivel).
volume fraction (10–30 Vf%) and length of the fiber (50–150 mm)
[5]. Extracted the pineapple fibers from pineapple leaf and studied
about the effect of fiber surface treatment (Alkali and silane) and
also compared the mechanical properties of treated and untreated
fibers whereas the treated fibers have greater interfacial adhesion
[6]. The new identified snake grass fibers and extracted it by man-
ual process from snake grass plant. Isophthallic polyester resins are
used to prepare the composite specimen of chopped snake grass
fiber by different length of the fiber and volume fraction Vf. The
specimens, evaluated by tensile and flexural strength, improved
significantly with the various fiber volume fraction and fiber
length [7].
Prepared the composites by using randomly short Sansevieria
cylindrical fiber with varying fiber lengths (10 mm, 20 mm,
30 mm, 40 mm & 50 mm) and weight percent (10%, 20%, 30%,
40% & 50%) and investigated the properties of tensile, flexural
and impact. The test indicated that a critical fiber length and opti-
mum fiber weight percent of 30 mm and 40%, respectively [8].
Prepared the recycled sustainable wood waste fiber reinforced
composite with polymer with the objective of improving mechan-
ical properties over glass fiber reinforcement [9]. Produced Napier
grass fiber laminates and investigated the tensile strength and
found the effect of soaking time during the alkaline treatment.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.04.057
2214-7853/Ó 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Conference on Multifunctional Nanomaterials.

Please cite this article as: K. Sakthi vadivel and P. Govindasamy, Mechanical and water absorption properties of Acacia Arabica bark fiber/polyester com-
posites: Effect of alkali treatment and fiber volume fraction, Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.04.057
K. Sakthi vadivel and P. Govindasamy
The Napier grasses are originally from Brazil. The alkaline treat-
ment established to improve the tensile strength because of bet-
ter surface roughness of Napier fiber compared to untreated [10].
The water absorption decreased at low fiber volume fractions and
increased in high fiber volume fractions of kenaf fiber. Scanning
electron microscope indicated that all the composites failed by
fiber pull-out [11]. Studied the characterization of elephant grass
fiber polymer matrix composite materials, the fibers were treated
with NaOH. The fibers are available in large quantities in nature
and the extraction of fiber is easy and inexpensive [12]. Alkaline
treated and untreated sugar palm fiber reinforced epoxy compos-
ite were produced and analyzed the tensile properties and
microstructure of the fractured specimens in scanning electron
microscope [13]. Analyzed the three point bending, chemical
resistance and water absorption test of Bagasse fiber unsaturated
polyester composite. Fibers were treated with sodium hydroxide
and then with dilute sulfuric acid for improvement of results in
addition to stronger interaction of fiber matrix interface com-
pared to untreated fibers [14].
Studied and prepared the composite of ramie fiber with alkali
and silane treatment and found tensile, flexural and impact
properties of the composite increased by surface treatment.
The fracture surface showed the enhancement of fiber and
matrix interface adhesion by using scanning electron microscope
[15]. Analyzed the mechanical and thermal properties of the
waste cotton fiber (ecofriendly) as reinforcement and wheat
flour as matrix composite materials. Morphology of the agro-
green-composites were studied by using X-ray diffraction and
SEM [16,17]. Investigated the mechanical properties of alkaline
and silane treated short fiber and aligned long hemp fiber com-
posite material of different fiber content (0–40 wt%). The result
showed that the treated fibers were found to be improved with
increased fiber content [18]. The effect of alkaline and silane
treated on the Bamboo fibers through water absorption test
the result showed the reduction of water absorption compared
to untreated [19]. Fabricated the composites by injection mold-
ing technique with treated and untreated kenaf fibers of varying
fiber loading from (10 – 50 wt%). The treated kenaf fibers
enhanced their tensile and flexural properties because of surface
roughness and strong bonding [20]. Studied the mechanical
properties of the kenaf fiber polymer composite, with and with-
out sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment. The result shows that
the tensile strength of the treated kenaf fibers have improved
as compared to untreated kenaf fibers particularly at the opti-
mum level of 6% NaOH [21].
In the present work, an attempt was made to use the newly
identified Acacia Arabica bark fibers which extracted from the Aca-
cia Arabica plant by easy manual and biodegradable process. The
fiber is abundantly available in Asia moreover this work is
extended to prepare the polymer matrix composite besides fiber
is kept additional for alkali treatment and analyze its water absorp-
tion and mechanical properties.
2. Experiments
2.1. Fiber materials
Fig. 1 shows the Acacia Arabica plant and extraction method of
Acacia Arabica bark fibers [22]. The stem skins were cut from Aca-
cia plant and tied into bundles and were retting in water for 6–
8 days. The retted Acacia stem skin was washed in running water.
Then the fibers were removed from stem skin, cleaned and dried
using the sunlight. The Acacia bark fibers were cut into different
lengths of 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm and 50 mm respectively
for preparing composite.
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Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx
2.2. Polyester resin
The unsaturated polyester resin is commercially available and
used as the matrix for the investigation. The resin was mixed with
accelerator (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide) and the catalysts
(Cobalt Naphthalene) at a concentration of 0.01w/w [4] to cure.
The unsaturated polyester resin is one of the inexpensive resins
used due to its excellent process ability, low water absorption abil-
ity and bonding tendency as well as mechanical properties. The
typical properties of the unsaturated polyester resin are shown in
Table 1
2.3. Fiber treatment
In this study, chemical treatment has been applied to the differ-
ent lengths of Acacia Arabica fibers to improve the surface rough-
ness. Fibers were soaked in 6% sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH)
at room temperature for 24 h [22]. The NaOH treatment has an
effect on the thermo physical properties of the fibers. After treat-
ment, fibers were washed with running water to remove any traces
of alkali on the fiber surface and dried for 48 h under room
temperature.
2.4. Preparation of composite specimen
The hand lay-up technique is used to prepare the composite
specimen of treated and untreated Acacia fibers with randomly ori-
ented and various volume fraction (Vf) like 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%
& 35% respectively in different lengths of 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm,
40 mm&50 mm respectively. The one percentage of accelerators
and the catalysts were mixed with unsaturated polyester resin
for curing purpose. The composite specimens are prepared by
using mild steel dies of dimensions 200 mm
12 mm
4 mm.
The Acacia Arabica fibers are laid over the die in random orienta-
tion, the steel roller is used for rolling process to maintain the uni-
formity of fiber to improve the isotropic property and remove the
air bubbles. The die was closed and applied with hydraulic pres-
sure for 10 h at atmospheric temperature. Later composite plate
was removed from the die and kept for two hours for post curing
in room temperature.
2.5. Water absorption test
The water absorption tests were carried for both treated and
untreated fiber composite with varying volume fraction (vf) of
10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% & 35% respectively for the length of fiber
30 mm. The test specimens were cut from the plates accordingly
to ASTM D570 [5,23]. The composite specimen were immersed in
distilled water at 27 °C and noted the changes in weight of the
specimen for every 0.5 h, 1.0 h, 2.0 h, 24 h, 48 h & 72 h respectively
with digital balance 0.01 mg resolution. The weighing process was
done within 30 s by removing the surface water in specimen with
the help of filter paper for avoiding the error.
2.6. Tensile testing of the composite
Tensile tests were conducted for the composite specimen using
the universal testing machine at the testing speed of 2 mm/min.
The composite specimen were prepared from the composite plate
as per ASTM D638 [7] standards. All tests were executed at room
temperature and results were taken as the average value of five
samples with size of 165 mm
13 mm
4 mm for gauge length
of 50 mm. In this experimentation, the tensile strength, tensile
modulus, tensile load and elongation of the composites were
measured.
K. Sakthi vadivel and P. Govindasamy Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Fig. 1. (a) Naturally grown Acacia Arabica plant, (b) Acacia stem skin, (c) Bunddle of stem skin ready for retting in water, (d) Fiber collection.

Table 1 Mt ¼ ðwt  w0=w0Þx100%

Typical properties of the unsaturated polyester resin.
where, W0 = dry weight of sample; Wt = weight after specific time.
Appearance Yellow viscous liquid
Fig. 2 shows the water absorption of untreated fiber composite
Viscosity at 25 °C 200–300 cps
Acid value 25 ± 5 mg KOH/g for different volume of fraction specimens over a period of three
Specific gravity at 25 °C 1.11 ± 0.02 days. The percentage of water absorption for 10%vf, 15%vf, 20%vf,
Volatile content 40 ± 2 wt% 25%vf, 30%vf and 35%vf of fiber is 4%, 4.75%, 4.75%, 5.25%, 5.25%
Tensile strength 18 ± 1.5 MPa and 5.5% respectively at the beginning 0.5 h of the test. In this
Flexural strength 25 ± 2.5 MPa
1.5% difference of water absorption is obtained from 10%vf to
35%vf. Later one hour, water absorption testis wide-ranging of
2.7. Flexural testing of the composite 5.25% to 7% for 10%vfto 35%vf fiber composite respectively. In this
1.75% difference of water absorption is obtained between 10%vfto
Three point bending load (flexural) tests was conducted as per 35%vf of fiber loading. At a time period of 24 h the percentage of
ASTM D790 [7] standard by using universal testing machine at water absorption is increased when compared to 1 h and 2 h dura-
the testing speed of 2 mm/min. All tests were executed at room tion of the test. The calculated value of water absorption is 6.25%,
temperature and results were taken as the average value of five 7%, 7.25%, 7.25%, 7.75% and 8.25% of 10%vf, 15% vf, 20%vf, 25%vf,
samples with size of 125 mm
12 mm
4 mm. In this experimen- 30%vf and 35% vf of fibers respectively. The percentage of water
tation, the flexural strength, flexural modulus and deflection of the
specimens were measured.

2.8. Scanning electron microscope

The surfaces of the fractured specimens of tensile and flexural

composite were examined directly by scanning electron micro-
scope (SEM) of model VEGA3 TESCAN. The surface morphology of
the fracture specimens was then studied over SEM images in dif-
ferent magnifications to conclude the effect of surface treatment
and fiber pull-out on Acacia Arabica fiber composite materials
through interfacial adhesion of the samples [24].

3. Result and discussion

3.1. Water absorption

Water absorption test was determined by the weight gain rela-

tive to the dry weight of the samples. The moisture content of a Fig. 2. Percentage of water absorption verses soaking time for different volume
sample was calculated as follows fraction of untreated Acacia Arabica fiber.

3
K. Sakthi vadivel and P. Govindasamy Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

absorption for 48 h of 10%vf, 15%vf, 20%vf, 25%vf, 30%vf and 35% vf

is 6.5%, 7%, 7.5%, 8%,8.5% and 8.75 respectively increased when
compared to previous time interval. At 72 h test period, the water
absorption result shows that the same percentage maintained in
48 h. At 10% fiber volume fractions of the untreated composite
specimens absorbs the least water and 35% volume fraction of fiber
absorbs high water compared to all other fiber volume fractions.
Finally the water absorption test shows that the percentage of
water absorption is increased with untreated fiber volume fraction.
Fig. 3 shows the water absorption of treated fiber composite
specimens for different volume fraction over a period of three days.
The percentage of water absorption for 10%vf, 15% vf, 20%vf, 25%vf,
30%vf and 35%vf fiber is 3.25%, 3.5%, 3.5%, 3.75%, 4%, 4.25% respec-
tively at beginning 0.5 h of the test. In this 0.75% difference of
water absorption is obtained from 10% vf to 35% vf. At a time per-
iod of 24 h the percentage of water absorption is increased when
compared to 0.5 h, 1 h and 2 h duration of the test. The calculated
value of water absorption is 4%, 4.25%, 4.25%, 4.5%, 4.75% and 5% of Fig. 4. Effect of tensile strength verses volume fraction of untreated Acacia fiber
10%vf, 15%vf, 20%vf, 25%vf, 30%vf and 35%vf of fiber respectively. with different fiber lengths.
The percentage of water absorption for 48 h of 10%vf, 15%vf, 20%
vf, 25%vf, 30%vf and 35% vf is 5.5%, 7%, 8.75% and 8.75 respectively
was increased when compared to previous time interval and the 30 mm fiber length. The tensile strength of 20%vf shows the mini-
water absorption saturated in 72 h of test. Finally the water mum and maximum value of 15.65 MPa and 18.62 MPa respec-
absorption is increased with increase of fiber content. tively. The percentage increased between the maximum and
A comparison of treated and untreated water absorption test minimum tensile strength for 20%Vf is 15.95%.The 25%vffiber vol-
reveals that water absorption is increased in 35%vf fiber volume ume fraction shows the tensile strength of19.92 MPa, 21.82 MPa,
fraction. The 8.75% and 5% of water absorption showed in 23.5 MPa, 22.16 MPa and 22 MPa for 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm,
untreated and treated fiber composite respectively. In this 3.5% 40 mm, 50 mm respectively. Maximum tensile strength of
variance of water absorption between treated and untreated com- 23.5 MPa is obtained for 30 mm fiber length in the present work
posite specimen was due to enrichment of surface roughness by when the percentage volume fraction is 25 because the composite
fiber treatment. have higher fiber ends, bonding and accumulation than the others.
The tensile strength is suddenly reduced to 19.02 MPa-16.45 MPa
and 13.22 MPa-11.52 MPa for different fiber lengths when the per-
3.2. Tensile properties centage of volume fraction is 30%vf and 35%vf respectively. From
this we find the main reason for the reduction in tensile strength
Fig. 4 shows the tensile strength of untreated Acacia fiber com- is the load and stress transfer between the fiber and the resin is
posites compared with the various fiber volume fraction for vari- highly reduced due to the less matrix content in composite.
ous fiber length. The variation of tensile strength depends on Fig. 5 shows the tensile strength of chemically treated Acacia
fiber loading and length of the fiber. The minimum tensile strength fiber composite compared with the various fiber volume fraction
of the composites having 10%vf for 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, for various fiber length. In 10%Vf fiber volume fraction having ten-
50 mm is 9.78 MPa, 11.02 MPa, 12.28 MPa, 11.22 MPa and sile strength of minimum and maximum 11.85 MPa and 15.06 MPa
10.92 MPa respectively. In this 30 mm fiber length shows the max- respectively. In this 30 mm fiber length obtained the maximum
imum strength of 12.28 MPa and minimum of 9.78 MPa for 10 mm tensile strength. The strength found in 15%vf fiber volume fraction
fiber length. In 15%vf fiber volume fraction of tensile strength is 16.22Mpa for 10 mm fiber length and increased to 19.2 MPa for
shows that the value is increased gradually upto 14.45 MPa for 30 mm fiber length and slightly decreased in 40 mm and 50 mm

Fig. 3. Percentage of water absorption verses soaking time for different volume Fig. 5. Effect of tensile strength verses volume fraction of treated Acacia fiber with
fraction of treated Acacia fiber. different fiber lengths.

4
K. Sakthi vadivel and P. Govindasamy
fiber length, this shows the increase of fiber length because of
varying volume fraction. In 20%vfthe maximum and minimum
strength is 23.5 MPa and 20.02 MPa respectively. The 25%vf fiber
volume fraction shows the tensile strength of 22.62 MPa,
24.32 MPa, 28.62 MPa, 26.66 MPa and 24.62 MPa for 10 mm,
20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm respectively. Maximum tensile
strength of 28.62 MPa is obtained for 30 mm chemically treated
fiber length and 25%vf fiber loading. The tensile strength are sud-
denly reduced to 21.32 MPa-24.98 MPa and 14.25 MPa-16.73 MPa
for different fiber lengths when the percentage of volume fraction
is 30%vf and 35%vf respectively. This could be due to interfacial
adhesion between the fiber and matrix in addition constructs the
debonding leading to a decrease in the tensile strength.
A comparison on treated and untreated fiber composite, reveals
that the maximum tensile strength is 28.62MPain treated and
23.5 MPa in untreated specimen for 30 mm fiber length and the
maximum value was achieved at 25%vf. In this 17.88% difference
in tensile strength was due to improvement of fibers surface adhe-
sion characteristics by removing natural impurities, as well as, cre-
ating a rough surface structure. The improvement in the tensile
strength of the composites is because at these particular composi-
tions the Acacia fiber can effectively transfer the load from the
matrix.
3.3. Flexural properties
Fig. 6 shows the flexural strength of untreated Acacia fiber com-
posite compared with the various fiber volume fraction of various
fiber length. The variation of flexural strength depends on fiber
loading and length of the fiber. The Minimum flexural strength of
the composites having 10%vf for 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm,
50 mm is 16.96 MPa, 18.32 MPa, 19.26 MPa, 18.92 MPa and
17.24 MPa respectively. In this 30 mm fiber length shows the max-
imum strength of 19.26 MPa and minimum of 16.96 MPa for
10 mm fiber length. In 15%vf fiber volume fraction of flexural
strength shows that the value increased gradually upto
25.02 MPa for 30 mm fiber length. The flexural strength for 20%vf
shows the minimum and maximum value of 25.12 MPa and
30.12 MPa respectively. The 25%vf fiber volume fraction show the
flexural strength of 31.46 MPa, 33.96 MPa, 36.25 MPa, 34.98 MPa
and 33.26 MPa for 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm respec-
tively. Maximum flexural strength of 36.25 MPa was obtained for
30 mm fiber length in the present work. The flexural strength
reduced suddenly when the percentage of volume fraction is 30%
vf and 35%vf.
Fig. 6. Effect of flexural strength verses volume fraction of untreated Acacia fiber
with different fiber lengths.
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Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx
Fig. 7 shows the flexural strength of chemically treated Acacia
fiber composites are compared with the various fiber volume frac-
tions for various fiber lengths. In 10%Vf fiber, volume fraction has
flexural strength of minimum and maximum 19.16 MPa and
22.26 MPa respectively. In this 30 mm fiber length obtained the
maximum flexural strength. The strength found in 15%vf fiber vol-
ume fraction is 24.02Mpa for 10 mm fiber length and increased to
28 MPa for 30 mm fiber length and slightly decreased in 40 mm
and 50 mm fiber length. The flexural strength for 20%vf shows the
minimum and maximum value of30.5 MPa and 34.02 MPa respec-
tively. The 25%vf fiber volume fraction shows the flexural strength
of 37.96 MPa, 39.12 MPa, 42.68 MPa, 41 MPa and 40.58 MPa for
10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm respectively. Maximum
flexural strength of 42.68 MPa was obtained for 30 mm fiber length
in the treated fiber. The flexural strength was suddenly reduced,
when the percentage of volume fraction is 30%vf and 35%vf .
A comparison on treated and untreated fiber composite reveals
that the maximum flexural strength is 42.68 MPa in treated and
36.25 MPa in untreated specimen for 30 mm fiber length and the
maximum value was achieved at 25%vf. In this 15.06% difference
in flexural strength was due to the improvement of fibers surface
roughness by alkali treatment. Compiling tensile and flexural test
results (Figs. 4-7), it is noticed that the unsaturated polyester resin
reinforced composite gradually increased in alkali treated Acacia
fiber upto 25% vf of 30 mm fiber length when compared to
untreated.
3.4. SEM analysis of composite specimen
The morphology of the fractured surface of tensile specimens of
composites with untreated and treated fiber were investigated by
SEM. Fig. 8 shows the evident of fiber pull-out of 10% vf in tensile
fractured specimen. Fiber pull-out occurs mainly due to poor inter-
facial bonding and limited fiber loading. Fig. 9 shows the SEM
micrograph of tensile fractured specimen of 25%vf. Tensile and
flexural strength values have established that the adhesion
between the fiber and matrix was good and the fiber pull-out
was not so predominant.
Fig. 10 show the SEM image of fractured specimen, the result of
micrograph was clearly visible on surface roughness of the fiber
and less fibers crack when compared to untreated fiber. The good
surface roughness proved that the effective stress transfer from
the matrix to the fiber. The SEM analysis indicated that the inter-
facial bonding of matrix-fiber was better defined with treated Aca-
cia fiber.
Fig. 7. Effect of flexural strength verses volume fraction of treated Acacia fiber with
different fiber lengths.
K. Sakthi vadivel and P. Govindasamy Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Fig. 8. SEM micrograph of the fractured specimen of 10%vf (a) Untreated, (b) Treated.

Fig. 9. SEM micrograph of the fractured specimen of 25%vf (a) Untreated, (b) Treated.

Fig. 10. SEM micrograph for surface roughness of the fractured specimen of 25%vf (a) Untreated, (b) Treated.

6
K. Sakthi vadivel and P. Govindasamy
4. Conclusion
Acacia Arabica Bark fiber reinforced composites with different
fiber loadings of 10%vf, 15%vf, 20%vf , 25%vf, 30%vf& 35%vfand
varying the lengths of the fiber of 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm,
40 mm & 50 mm were prepared by hand lay-up method. The
effects of alkali (NaOH) treatment on composite were investigated
from the mechanical properties and water absorption test with
comparison to untreated fiber. The alkali treatment of Acacia Ara-
bica fibers composite improved its mechanical properties because
of its surface roughness. Due to the higher interfacial adhesion
between the matrix and fibers, the mechanical properties had
improvement. The water absorption test of treated fibers compos-
ite results showed the lower water absorption than the untreated
fiber composite because of its surface roughness by removing the
impurities in fiber. The tensile and flexural strength of the Acacia
Arabica fiber unsaturated polyester composite suggestively
improved with various fiber volume fraction and fiber lengths.
The increase in the fiber volume fraction increases the mechanical
properties. The maximum tensile and flexural strength of the alkali
treated Acacia Arabica fiber composite succeeded at 25%vf for the
30 mm fiber length due to proper load transfer, surface roughness
and bonding. The SEM analysis of tensile and flexural fractured
specimens image indicated the enhancement of fiber matrix inter-
face adhesion, the surface roughness of fiber and fiber pull-out dur-
ing the loading condition at 10%vf and 25%vf of the composite. The
present work concludes that the 25%vf volume fraction and 30 mm
fiber length of treated Acacia Arabica fiber composites have exhib-
ited better mechanical properties than the untreated fiber
composites.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing finan-
cial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared
to influence the work reported in this paper.
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