Multi-functional natural fiber composites using flaxseed and cotton: tailoring acoustic, mechanical, and thermal properties for eco-friendly applications
Abstract This study explores the development of polymer composites that are sustainable and reinforced by natural flax and cotton fibers at different weight fractions (5%, 10%, and 15%) to improve their mechanical, acoustic, and thermal properties for environmentally friendly engineering application...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | Discover Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07345-y |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849234897830412288 |
|---|---|
| author | Natrayan Lakshmaiya Gobikrishnan Udhayakumar S. Sathiyamurthy V S Nadh Ramya Maranan Wubishet Degife Mammo |
| author_facet | Natrayan Lakshmaiya Gobikrishnan Udhayakumar S. Sathiyamurthy V S Nadh Ramya Maranan Wubishet Degife Mammo |
| author_sort | Natrayan Lakshmaiya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study explores the development of polymer composites that are sustainable and reinforced by natural flax and cotton fibers at different weight fractions (5%, 10%, and 15%) to improve their mechanical, acoustic, and thermal properties for environmentally friendly engineering applications. Composites based on flax fiber showed a higher flexural strength of 62 MPa compared to a value of 56 MPa achieved for the cotton fibers when using 15 wt%, showing a better load-bearing capacity. Also, the impact strength from flax improved significantly with flax content and recorded the highest values of 16.5 kJ/m2 at 15 wt%, which is thirty percent higher than the cotton-based composites. It was discovered by acoustic analysis that with the increasing flax fiber amount, the sound absorption coefficient (SAC) can be enhanced to a maximum of 0.19 at high frequencies for 15 wt%, superior to the corresponding cotton composites. It was confirmed through thermal gravimetric analysis that flax fiber composites manifested increased thermal stability compared to their counterparts, where the incipient decomposition mode and greater char residue over 250 °C were delayed. It was attributed to their high content of cellulose and lignin. Further, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed higher fiber-matrix interlocking and less porosity at optimal fiber loading, adding to gains in the multifunctional performance. This all-around appraisal places flax fiber ahead as a better natural reinforcement than cotton, a greener substitute for synthetic materials in structural and acoustic insulation. The study offers a balanced way of optimizing mechanical, acoustic, and thermal properties that contribute to developing the next-generation sustainable composites. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1cebd82adfa0437db7dd6808a54f9778 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 3004-9261 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-1cebd82adfa0437db7dd6808a54f97782025-08-20T04:03:00ZengSpringerDiscover Applied Sciences3004-92612025-08-017811910.1007/s42452-025-07345-yMulti-functional natural fiber composites using flaxseed and cotton: tailoring acoustic, mechanical, and thermal properties for eco-friendly applicationsNatrayan Lakshmaiya0Gobikrishnan Udhayakumar1S. Sathiyamurthy2V S Nadh3Ramya Maranan4Wubishet Degife Mammo5Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATSDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Sona College of TechnologyDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Easwari Engineering College, RamapuramQuality Assurance and Quality Control, Larsen & Toubro LimitedDivision of Research and Development, Lovely Professional UniversityDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Kombolcha Institute of Technology, Wollo UniversityAbstract This study explores the development of polymer composites that are sustainable and reinforced by natural flax and cotton fibers at different weight fractions (5%, 10%, and 15%) to improve their mechanical, acoustic, and thermal properties for environmentally friendly engineering applications. Composites based on flax fiber showed a higher flexural strength of 62 MPa compared to a value of 56 MPa achieved for the cotton fibers when using 15 wt%, showing a better load-bearing capacity. Also, the impact strength from flax improved significantly with flax content and recorded the highest values of 16.5 kJ/m2 at 15 wt%, which is thirty percent higher than the cotton-based composites. It was discovered by acoustic analysis that with the increasing flax fiber amount, the sound absorption coefficient (SAC) can be enhanced to a maximum of 0.19 at high frequencies for 15 wt%, superior to the corresponding cotton composites. It was confirmed through thermal gravimetric analysis that flax fiber composites manifested increased thermal stability compared to their counterparts, where the incipient decomposition mode and greater char residue over 250 °C were delayed. It was attributed to their high content of cellulose and lignin. Further, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed higher fiber-matrix interlocking and less porosity at optimal fiber loading, adding to gains in the multifunctional performance. This all-around appraisal places flax fiber ahead as a better natural reinforcement than cotton, a greener substitute for synthetic materials in structural and acoustic insulation. The study offers a balanced way of optimizing mechanical, acoustic, and thermal properties that contribute to developing the next-generation sustainable composites.https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07345-yNatural compositesFlaxCottonAcousticThermal propertiesMechanical strength |
| spellingShingle | Natrayan Lakshmaiya Gobikrishnan Udhayakumar S. Sathiyamurthy V S Nadh Ramya Maranan Wubishet Degife Mammo Multi-functional natural fiber composites using flaxseed and cotton: tailoring acoustic, mechanical, and thermal properties for eco-friendly applications Discover Applied Sciences Natural composites Flax Cotton Acoustic Thermal properties Mechanical strength |
| title | Multi-functional natural fiber composites using flaxseed and cotton: tailoring acoustic, mechanical, and thermal properties for eco-friendly applications |
| title_full | Multi-functional natural fiber composites using flaxseed and cotton: tailoring acoustic, mechanical, and thermal properties for eco-friendly applications |
| title_fullStr | Multi-functional natural fiber composites using flaxseed and cotton: tailoring acoustic, mechanical, and thermal properties for eco-friendly applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multi-functional natural fiber composites using flaxseed and cotton: tailoring acoustic, mechanical, and thermal properties for eco-friendly applications |
| title_short | Multi-functional natural fiber composites using flaxseed and cotton: tailoring acoustic, mechanical, and thermal properties for eco-friendly applications |
| title_sort | multi functional natural fiber composites using flaxseed and cotton tailoring acoustic mechanical and thermal properties for eco friendly applications |
| topic | Natural composites Flax Cotton Acoustic Thermal properties Mechanical strength |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07345-y |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT natrayanlakshmaiya multifunctionalnaturalfibercompositesusingflaxseedandcottontailoringacousticmechanicalandthermalpropertiesforecofriendlyapplications AT gobikrishnanudhayakumar multifunctionalnaturalfibercompositesusingflaxseedandcottontailoringacousticmechanicalandthermalpropertiesforecofriendlyapplications AT ssathiyamurthy multifunctionalnaturalfibercompositesusingflaxseedandcottontailoringacousticmechanicalandthermalpropertiesforecofriendlyapplications AT vsnadh multifunctionalnaturalfibercompositesusingflaxseedandcottontailoringacousticmechanicalandthermalpropertiesforecofriendlyapplications AT ramyamaranan multifunctionalnaturalfibercompositesusingflaxseedandcottontailoringacousticmechanicalandthermalpropertiesforecofriendlyapplications AT wubishetdegifemammo multifunctionalnaturalfibercompositesusingflaxseedandcottontailoringacousticmechanicalandthermalpropertiesforecofriendlyapplications |