LAUSR

Abstract In this research mechanical, thermal, and water uptake behaviour of silane-treated sea-urchin spike filler and kenaf fibre mat-reinforced neem oil blended epoxy resin composite has been studied. The principal aim of this research was fabrication of eco-friendly composite and explicit the importance of silane-treatment on reinforcement’s surface. Neem oil blended with epoxy resin to convert it as an eco-friendly one, whereas additions of kenaf fibre and sea urchin particles into neem-epoxy matrix made the composites tougher. Both filler and fibre was surface-treated by an amino silane (APTMS). The results revealed that, additions of surface-treated sea urchin particle and kenaf fibre increased the mechanical properties of composite. Similarly thermal results exposed that addition of sea urchin bio ceramic filler increased the thermal stability of neem-epoxy bio composite. SEM fractograph showed uniform dispersion of sea urchin filler and improved adhesion of kenaf fibre with epoxy matrix.