Enhancement of thermal and mechanical properties of polymer composite using a novel milled bamboo filler

Abstract This work presents the thermal and mechanical characterization of epoxy composites reinforced with different fillers developed by modifying thermo‐mechanically extracted bamboo micron fibers. The modification of bamboo fibers was done by adding carbon nanoparticles to their surface and also by making powdered fillers using the process of ball milling. A decrease in water absorption in case of surface coated bamboo fibers was observed. The glass transition behavior was enhanced for composites filled with milled bamboo fillers as compared to neat epoxy. Better mechanical properties were observed for composites reinforced with milled bamboo fillers compared to that of composites filled with bamboo fibers. The highest tensile strength (90.258 MPa) was observed for composites reinforced with 5 wt% of milled bamboo fillers depicting an increase of 93.01% compared to that of neat epoxy (46.762 MPa). Highlights Bamboo fibers were modified with a sizing agent and carbon nanoparticles. A novel “milled bamboo filler” was produced and incorporated in composites. Thermal properties of epoxy composite were enhanced by the novel filler. Tensile strength of the composite was significantly enhanced. The novel filler has the future scope of application in various composite products.