Abstract:

The increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly engineering materials has accelerated research into bio-based polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers derived from agricultural waste. This study focuses on the development and characterization of polymer composites utilizing rice husk and sugarcane bagasse fibers as reinforcement in a biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) matrix. The composites were fabricated through melt blending followed by compression molding. Mechanical testing revealed that fiber loading up to 30 wt% enhanced tensile and flexural properties, with an optimal balance between strength and ductility achieved at 20 wt% fiber content. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed good interfacial adhesion between fibers and matrix when treated with alkaline surface modification. Thermal analysis using TGA and DSC demonstrated improved thermal stability compared to neat PLA, while water
absorption tests highlighted the need for further surface treatments to reduce hydrophilicity. The results indicate that agricultural waste fibers can serve as effective, low-cost reinforcement for bio-based polymer composites, offering a viable path toward sustainable engineering materials with reduced environmental
impact.
Keywords: Bio-based polymer composites, agricultural waste fibers, rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, mechanical
properties, sustainability.