Physico-mechanical properties enhancement of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) reinforced epoxy resin-based composites using guar gum (polysaccharide) filler: effects of gamma radiation

Pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) reinforced epoxy resin-based composites were fabricated by using hand lay-up technique. The fiber content in the composites was taken as 25% (w/w), then it was modified by inserting 5% guar gum (polysaccharide) filler. Results demonstrated a 6% and 9% increase of tensile strength (TS) and tensile modulus (TM), respectively, over that of virgin PALF-epoxy composites. But 7% reduced elongation at break (Eb%) was noticed in this study. Results also revealed a 6% increase of bending properties due to insertion of guar gum filler. The virgin PALF-epoxy composites and along with guar gum filler PALF-epoxy composites were treated by gamma radiation doses varied from 2.5 to 10 kGy. The results revealed improved tensile and bending properties at…