Comparing the storage modulus of treated and untreated Calotropis gigantea reinforced polymer composites

The aim of this study is to compare the storage modulus of treated and untreated Calotropis gigantea reinforced epoxy composites. Novel Calotropis gigantea was used as the reinforcement material and epoxy resin (LY556) were used as the matrix materials. Two Groups 1 2 were taken for investigating the storage modulus. Group 1 is untreated Calotropis gigantea reinforced epoxy composite. Group 2 is NaoH treated Calotropis gigantea reinforced epoxy composite. Sample size calculations were performed using the G power calculator and it was derived that 20 samples per group is sufficient for analysing the storage modulus of the fabricated composite with significance less than 0.05. Composites were fabricated by hand layup method. It was inferred that storage modulus of the composite enhances when treating the fibre with NaOH solution. Also, it was observed from the Independent Sample t-test analysis using SPSS statistical software that the treated fiber enhanced storage modulus compared to the group 2. NaOH treatment of Novel Calotropis gigantea reinforcement improves the storage modulus of the composite.