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Individual applications of coir and hemp as reinforcement in composites have been exhaustively studied; however, their hybridization must also be investigated. In this context, this research investigates the utilization of coir and hemp fibers as reinforcements in a polyester-based hybrid composite system. The primary objective is to find out how these reinforcements affect the hybrid composites' mechanical (tensile, flexural, and impact) and thermo-gravimetric properties. To accomplish this, composite samples with varying weight proportions of coir and hemp fibers were fabricated, and extensive mechanical testing was performed. The findings from the tensile, flexural, and impact tests revealed an enhancement in the mechanical characteristics of the fabricated composites as the proportion of coir fiber grew and the proportion of hemp fiber reduced. The hybrid composite, containing 15% coir and 5% hemp fibers, had superior mechanical properties to the binary composite system. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis was performed to determine the thermal stability of the hybrid composites. Within a temperature range of 30 °C–800 °C, weight loss was observed, confirming the overall thermal resistance of the materials. Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine the composite's chemical composition, revealing the presence of functional groups that contribute to the composite's performance. Utilizing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), the surface morphology of hybrid composites was investigated, yielding valuable insights into the fiber-matrix interaction and composite structure. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of the coir/hemp/polyester hybrid composite as a lightweight material in a variety of industries.

Strength, weight, stiffness, environmental friendliness, and ease of manufacture are the key considerations for the selection of materials for today’s engineering applications. In this study, the hybrid composite was developed by reinforcing the alkali-treated tapsi fiber and micro granite filler into a polyester matrix using the hand lay-up method. Tapsi fiber is inexpensive, available in abundance, and the necessary amount of fiber needs to be prepared with minimal effort. Micro granite powder is one of the unused industrial wastes produced by the granite industry. Five different hybrid composite samples were created by keeping the tapsi fiber content constant at 20 wt.% and altering the micro granite powder content in polyester resin from 0 wt.% to 20 wt.%. Mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact strengths were evaluated to assess the hybrid composite’s load-bearing capabilities. Other characterizations such as FTIR and SEM are conducted to verify the applicability of hybrid composites in temperature, chemical, and humid environments. In addition, the tracing of chemical bonds for hybrid composites can be done using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The load-bearing capacity and transferability of the hybrid composite were solely based on the bonding of the fiber reinforcement, the filler, and polymer resin.

In this study, an attempt is made to check whether a hybrid composite made up of both synthetic and natural fibers (Carbon and Cordia Dichotoma respectively) can be made bio-degradable, at least to some extent, without much compromising on the mechanical properties. Hybrid composites were prepared by reinforcing alkali treated Cordia dichotoma and carbon fibers into epoxy resin using hand lay-up method. By varying the number of layers of fibers in the composite specimen and fixing 20% fiber weight for all composites, nine distinct combinations of specimens were prepared. The maximum tensile strength of 386.68 MPa, flexural strength of 647.08 MPa, and impact energy of 4.82 J were obtained for composites produced with pure carbon fiber, whereas hybrid composite exhibit tensile strength of 367.76 MPa, flexural strength of 646.41MPa and impact energy of 4.74 J. The interfacial bonding between the fibers and matrix of tested specimens was studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), as well as the arrangement of fibers within the matrix for the manufactured composite. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to investigate thermal stability, and it was found that it was thermally stable up to 415°C. 9. Crystallinity value increases from 20% carbon fiber to 20% alkali fiber.

In this study, a combination of “Cordia Dichotoma” natural fiber and “granite powder” as filler has been reinforced into epoxy resin making a hybrid composite. In this study, unused industrial waste obtained from the granite polishing industry, known as granite powder (GP) is being utilized for its usefulness as a reinforcement in polymer composite. Hybrid composite was prepared by reinforcing a constant Cordia Dichotoma fiber content of 20 wt. % and varying the granite powder weight (wt. %) percentages (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20) into epoxy matrix. Mechanical properties (tensile, flexural and impact) of hybrid composites were investigated. Following the results obtained, granite powder could be evidenced as a good filler material for the betterment of composite’s mechanical properties. Also, the ability of this filler material is proved in decreasing water absorption and chemical resistance. SEM morphology was performed to investigate the bonding and distribution of granite powder within the Cordia Dichotoma reinforced composite material. Besides, presence of chemical functional groups in the composite was traced by Infra-Red Spectroscopy. Also, Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) was carried out and the composite was found to be thermally stable up to 455°C.

Nowadays, research attention on composite materials accentuates where not only was their unique attributes agglomerated-alleviated weight and density, elevated impact and specific strengths, but also on where their bio-degradability and eco-friendliness transpires. In these, the alkali treated composites, to meet the needs of the aforementioned attributes and economy, with significant applicability in the market avenues. Hence, the present experimental study endeavors on investigating the effect of alkali treatment on mechanical and thermal properties of Tapsi fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Further, their characterization was done using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. From the results, it is found that 15 gms Tapsi fiber reinforced with NaOH treated specimens exhibited 43.02 MPa and 160 MPa of tensile and flexural strengths, respectively, which is notable and 10 gms Tapsi fiber reinforced with NaOH treated specimens revealed more thermal stability. The results are witnessed that showcase the effect of alkali treatment on the aforementioned properties through different characterization techniques.

Usage of composites with natural fiber reinforcement is drastically increasing in recent times because of their low density, biodegradable nature, and low cost. However, natural fibers have certain core problems such as poor adhesion between the fiber and matrix and a relatively high degree of moisture absorption. Alkaline treatment of natural fibers is aimed at improving the adhesive strength so that effective stress transferability takes place in the composite. In the present work, Cordia-Dichotoma fibers were treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and composites were prepared with different weight ratios of these fibers reinforced with epoxy. The prepared composites were tested for their tensile and flexural strengths (mechanical properties). Besides, for a comprehensive material characterization, IR spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope, and thermogravimetric analysis were carried out. This work investigates the influence of aforementioned NaOH treatment on thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of the composite material.

In the present investigation, cordia-dichotma fiber was used as reinforcement for the development of natural fiber composite. The novelty of this research work lies in the investigations of basic mechanical, thermal and structural properties of raw cordia-dichotoma fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Cordia-dichotoma fiber reinforced composites were prepared using the hand-layup technique with different weight proportions (10, 15, 20, and 25) of fiber into the epoxy resin. The composites were tested to evaluate the mechanical properties using Universal Testing Machine (UTM). From the results, it is clear that the mechanical properties increase up to 20% weight of the fibers and later decreases due to the improper bonding between the fibers and the epoxy. Further, for an inclusive materialcharacterization, the presence of chemical compounds and functional groups were identified by FTIR spectroscopy. SEM analysis was used to observe bonding between fibers and epoxy, and also the thermal stability of the composite specimen was observed through Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The performance of these composites leads to potential use of outdoor, infrastructure and structural applications with low cost and practical processing methods.

Objectives: AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates the coordination of anabolic and catabolic processes and is an attractive therapeutic target for T2DM, obesity and metabolic syndrome. We report the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects of CNX-012-570 is an orally bioavailable small molecule (molecular weight of 530 Daltons) that directly activates AMPK in DIO and db/db animal models of diabetes., Methods: Activity and efficacy of the compound was tested in cell based as well as cell free systems in vitro. Male C57BL/6 mice fed with high fat diet (HFD) were assigned to either vehicle or CNX-012-570 (3 mg/kg, orally once a day) for 8 weeks (n = 8). Genetically diabetic db/db mice on chow diet were dosed with vehicle control or CNX-012-570 (2.5 mg/kg, orally once a day) for 6 weeks (n = 8)., Results: CNX-012-570 is a highly potent and orally bioavailable compound activating AMPK in both cell and cell free systems. It inhibits lipolysis (33%) and gluconeogenesis (28%) in 3T3L1 cells and rat primary hepatocytes respectively. The efficacy of the molecule was translated to both DIO and db/db animal models of diabetes. CNX-012-570 has reduced fasting blood glucose levels by 14%, body weight by 24% and fasting serum triglycerides (TG) by 24%. CNX-012-570 showed a 22% reduction in fed serum cholesterol levels and 19% increase in HDL levels.In db/db mice model, CNX-012-570 has shown 18% decrease in fed glucose and 32% decrease in fasting glucose with a 2.57% reduction in absolute HbA1c. Decrease in serum insulin and glucose AUC indicates the increased insulin sensitivity. Body weight was reduced by 13% with increased browning of adipose tissue and decreased inguinal and mesenteric fat mass. There was significant reduction in liver TG and liver total cholesterol., Conclusions: CNX-012-570 has the potential to control hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. It also reduces body weight gain with an additional benefit of minimizing cardiovascular risks in diabetics.