Improving composite performance by cellulose-based Ceiba petandra fiber coating

Composites are expected to have good properties, such as water and moisture resistance. They require fibres that can bind well to a polymer matrix. Therefore, modification on a fibre surface was performed to improve hydrophobic behaviour and fibre–matrix interfacial bonds. The modification was done by conducting Acrylated Epoxidized Soybean Oil coating. In this study, Ceiba pentandra fibre was modified using alkali treatment and coating. The results revealed that double treatment of alkali and coating produced the best Ceiba pentandra fibre properties. The lowest water absorption of the alkali-coated Ceiba pentandra fibre composite was 3.17%, and the tensile strength increased by 52.78%, indicating an increase in the fibre–matrix interfacial bond. The coating was effective to prevent water absorption and increase composite tensile strength. Alkali coating on Ceiba pentandra fibre, besides alkali treatment, can be an alternative to improve a fibre’s performance.