Thermal and ballistic characterization of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with babassu (Attalea speciosa) fiber: An experimental investigation
This work focused on developing lightweight and cost-effective ballistic shields using epoxy matrix composites reinforced with short babassu fibers. Composites containing 10, 20, and 30 vol% fiber content were produced via compression molding and assessed for their chemical composition, thermal prop...
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| Format: | Article |
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Materials Research and Technology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425001772 |
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| author | Lucas Moura Montenegro Reis Pedro Henrique Poubel Mendonça da Silveira Yago Soares Chaves Rafael Travincas Pinto Lucas de Mendonça Neuba Sergio Neves Monteiro Lucio Fabio Cassiano Nascimento |
| author_facet | Lucas Moura Montenegro Reis Pedro Henrique Poubel Mendonça da Silveira Yago Soares Chaves Rafael Travincas Pinto Lucas de Mendonça Neuba Sergio Neves Monteiro Lucio Fabio Cassiano Nascimento |
| author_sort | Lucas Moura Montenegro Reis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This work focused on developing lightweight and cost-effective ballistic shields using epoxy matrix composites reinforced with short babassu fibers. Composites containing 10, 20, and 30 vol% fiber content were produced via compression molding and assessed for their chemical composition, thermal properties, and ballistic performance. Characterization techniques included Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which revealed interfacial bonding between fibers and the matrix, indicated by the intensification of the band at 1608 cm⁻1. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated a 6% reduction in thermal stability for composites with 10 vol% fibers, due to premature fiber degradation, with less pronounced effects at higher fiber fractions. Ballistic tests showed a decrease in energy absorption from 230 J in composites with 10 vol% fibers to 212 J for those with 30 vol%, attributed to a shift in failure mechanisms from brittle fractures in the matrix to fiber debonding and rupture. However, the 30 vol% fiber composites displayed greater damage tolerance and structural integrity, remaining intact after five successive impacts. A cost analysis revealed that these composites are 98% cheaper than A500 steel and 82% cheaper than ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, both widely used in armor. These results highlight the potential of babassu fibers as an economical and sustainable reinforcement for polymer composites, reducing production costs while maintaining satisfactory performance, and offering a viable solution for manufacturing lighter, affordable ballistic shields. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-48ec0d4753b84ae4a50810ff2af3b9f7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2238-7854 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Materials Research and Technology |
| spelling | doaj-art-48ec0d4753b84ae4a50810ff2af3b9f72025-01-29T05:01:23ZengElsevierJournal of Materials Research and Technology2238-78542025-03-013521762187Thermal and ballistic characterization of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with babassu (Attalea speciosa) fiber: An experimental investigationLucas Moura Montenegro Reis0Pedro Henrique Poubel Mendonça da Silveira1Yago Soares Chaves2Rafael Travincas Pinto3Lucas de Mendonça Neuba4Sergio Neves Monteiro5Lucio Fabio Cassiano Nascimento6Corresponding author.; Materials Engineering Department, Military Institute of Engineering, 80, General Tibúrcio Square, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22290-270, BrazilMaterials Engineering Department, Military Institute of Engineering, 80, General Tibúrcio Square, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22290-270, BrazilMaterials Engineering Department, Military Institute of Engineering, 80, General Tibúrcio Square, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22290-270, BrazilMaterials Engineering Department, Military Institute of Engineering, 80, General Tibúrcio Square, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22290-270, BrazilMaterials Engineering Department, Military Institute of Engineering, 80, General Tibúrcio Square, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22290-270, BrazilMaterials Engineering Department, Military Institute of Engineering, 80, General Tibúrcio Square, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22290-270, BrazilMaterials Engineering Department, Military Institute of Engineering, 80, General Tibúrcio Square, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22290-270, BrazilThis work focused on developing lightweight and cost-effective ballistic shields using epoxy matrix composites reinforced with short babassu fibers. Composites containing 10, 20, and 30 vol% fiber content were produced via compression molding and assessed for their chemical composition, thermal properties, and ballistic performance. Characterization techniques included Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which revealed interfacial bonding between fibers and the matrix, indicated by the intensification of the band at 1608 cm⁻1. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated a 6% reduction in thermal stability for composites with 10 vol% fibers, due to premature fiber degradation, with less pronounced effects at higher fiber fractions. Ballistic tests showed a decrease in energy absorption from 230 J in composites with 10 vol% fibers to 212 J for those with 30 vol%, attributed to a shift in failure mechanisms from brittle fractures in the matrix to fiber debonding and rupture. However, the 30 vol% fiber composites displayed greater damage tolerance and structural integrity, remaining intact after five successive impacts. A cost analysis revealed that these composites are 98% cheaper than A500 steel and 82% cheaper than ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, both widely used in armor. These results highlight the potential of babassu fibers as an economical and sustainable reinforcement for polymer composites, reducing production costs while maintaining satisfactory performance, and offering a viable solution for manufacturing lighter, affordable ballistic shields.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425001772Natural fibersBabassuCompositesEpoxyThermal propertiesFTIR |
| spellingShingle | Lucas Moura Montenegro Reis Pedro Henrique Poubel Mendonça da Silveira Yago Soares Chaves Rafael Travincas Pinto Lucas de Mendonça Neuba Sergio Neves Monteiro Lucio Fabio Cassiano Nascimento Thermal and ballistic characterization of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with babassu (Attalea speciosa) fiber: An experimental investigation Journal of Materials Research and Technology Natural fibers Babassu Composites Epoxy Thermal properties FTIR |
| title | Thermal and ballistic characterization of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with babassu (Attalea speciosa) fiber: An experimental investigation |
| title_full | Thermal and ballistic characterization of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with babassu (Attalea speciosa) fiber: An experimental investigation |
| title_fullStr | Thermal and ballistic characterization of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with babassu (Attalea speciosa) fiber: An experimental investigation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Thermal and ballistic characterization of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with babassu (Attalea speciosa) fiber: An experimental investigation |
| title_short | Thermal and ballistic characterization of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with babassu (Attalea speciosa) fiber: An experimental investigation |
| title_sort | thermal and ballistic characterization of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with babassu attalea speciosa fiber an experimental investigation |
| topic | Natural fibers Babassu Composites Epoxy Thermal properties FTIR |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425001772 |
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