The Effect of Silanes Treatments on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Nettle Fibre/Bio Epoxy Composites

Obtaining suitable reinforcement of the polymer matrix depends largely on the appropriate connection at the fiber/polymer interface. Therefore, the main aim of the research was to assess the impact of silanization treatment of Himalayan nettle fibers on the properties of bio epoxy composites. Two types of silanes with different functional groups were used: 3-chloropropylmethyldimethoxysilane and N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane at concentrations of 1 and 2%. The effectiveness of the fiber silanization process was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that treatment with silane with amine groups provided more effective adhesion between the fiber and the epoxy matrix than treatment with silane with chlorine groups. In addition, the thermal stability, impact strength, bending strength, impact resistance, density and water absorption of the composites were determined. It should be emphasized that silane treatment had a positive effect on the impact strength, impact resistance and flexural modulus of the tested layered composites.