Dandi Bachtiar, Ausama Abbas Mohammed, Sivasubramanian Palanisamy, Al Ichlas Imran, Januar Parlaungan Siregar, Mohd Ruzaimi bin Mat Rejab, Syaubari Syaubari, Tezara Cionita, Deni Fajar Fitriyana, Saleh A Al-Farraj, Mansour I Almansour, Quanjin Ma
This study examines the impact of alkaline treatment on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of sugar palm fiber (SPF)-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites. SPF fibers (250 μm) were treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions of 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% (w/w) for 90 min at room temperature. These fibers were then mixed with TPU in an extruder at 180–200 °C and molded into composite sheets using compression molding at 190 °C, 10 MPa pressure, and a 10-minute holding time. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed increased crystallinity in the composites, peaking at 1589 cps with 6% NaOH. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed improved fiber-matrix compatibility, most evident with 2% NaOH. SEM analysis indicated cleaner and rougher fiber surfaces post-treatment, though cracks were observed at higher concentrations. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) confirmed increased oxygen content and sodium residue at elevated NaOH levels, reflecting lignin removal. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated enhanced thermal stability, with the highest residue mass of 599.16 °C at 6% NaOH. Alkaline treatment notably enhanced SPF/TPU composites, with 2% NaOH providing optimal flexural strength and 6% NaOH maximizing impact strength and thermal stability. © The Author(s) 2025.
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Kopelma Darussalam, 23114, Banda Aceh, Indonesia; Department of Materials, University of Technology Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq; Department of Mechanical Engineering, P T R College of Engineering & Technology, Austinpatti, Madurai-Tirumangalam Road, Tamilnadu, Madurai, 625008, India; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Halu Oleo, Kendari, 93232, Indonesia; Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Pahang Darul Makmur, Pekan, 26600, Malaysia; Centre for Automotive Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Pekan, Pahang, 26600, Malaysia; Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Kopelma Darussalam, 23114, Banda Aceh, Indonesia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Quantity Surveying, INTI International University, Negeri Sembilan, Seremban, 71800, Malaysia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, 50229, Indonesia; Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud university, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia; School of Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
