Response to respected Editor and reviewers

Ref.: Ms. No. BCAB-D-23-03542R1

An Experimental Study on Mechanical, Physical, and Thermal Properties of Waste Hair-
Rattan Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Composite

Tasdik Chowdhury1, Muyen Ahmed1, Efaz Mahdi1, Mohammad Rejaul Haque1*, M

Merajul Haque2, M. A. Gafur3, Mahbub Hasan4

Answer
First of all, we are very much thankful to the reviewer for his/her productive comments on
the manuscript. We are glad that the paper has generally received positive evaluations
from the reviewer. We have prepared a revised manuscript in accord with the suggestions
of the respected reviewers. Several new sentences, new figures (revised Fig. 10 and Fig. 17),
and six more references ([5], [14], [21], [22], [41], and [42]) have been inserted into the text
for clarity. TGA samples images, FTIR Spectroscopic Analysis scan checks images and
revised FTIR graph have been included in the manuscript.
Please see the revised manuscript and response letter. Our response is in bold letter.

Editor’s comments#

Please also clearly mark the changes you made within the revised paper (e.g. by using the track
changes function in MS-Word) to avoid any misunderstandings.

Answer

-Thank you for the comment and consideration of our paper. We have provided response
letter where we have marked all the changes with respect to page number and yellow
highlighted texts.

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 Response to Reviewer 1
Ref.: Ms. No. BCAB-D-23-03542R1
Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of a Novel Hybrid Composite
Composed of Rattan and Date Palm Fiber: An Experimental Study
Md. Kharshiduzzaman1, Mohammad Rejaul Haque1, Md Shahnewaz Bhuiyan1, Sabrul Alam1,
Md. Mashuk1, S.K. Nayeem Ahmed1, Shahidul Haque Afgani1, M. A. Gafur2
Answer
First of all, we are very much thankful to the reviewer for his/her productive comments on
the manuscript. We are glad that the paper has generally received positive evaluations
from the reviewer. We have prepared a revised manuscript in accord with the suggestions
of the respected reviewers. Several new sentences, two new figures (revised Fig. 10 and Fig.
17), and six more references ([5], [14], [21], [22], [41], and [42]) have been inserted into the
text for clarity. TGA samples images, FTIR Spectroscopic Analysis scan checks images and
revised FTIR graph have been included in the manuscript.
Please see the revised manuscript and response letter. Our response is in bold letter.
Reviewer #2:

1.The abstract is too long, please making it concise. The results of your study seemed vague and
too general. Please highlight your significant results in brief, this is to show the outcome of your
study in the abstract section. Also, the problem statement seemed too general, please specify the
scope of the problem statement.
Answer
-Thank you for the comment. We have updated the abstract significantly focusing the

issues mentioned in the comment. Please check the revised abstract on page 2. Revised

abstract-

“Natural fiber-reinforced polymeric composites are gaining a lot of attention in engineering

applications because of growing environmental concerns. This study explores the diversity in
properties due to the effect of fiber loading (10 wt%,15wt%, and 20wt%) of reinforced hybrid

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epoxy composites using a novel combination of natural fibers: rattan mat and wastage short
hair fibers. Experiments are conducted according to the ASTM standards for evaluating
mechanical (tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness) and physical properties (water absorption
and biodegradability). Tensile, flexural, and hardness properties, as well as weight loss
percentage and water absorption percentage, indicated incremental behavior with increasing
fiber loading, whereas for the impact test, it is the opposite. The Fourier Transform Infrared
Spectroscopy of composites was carried out to examine the details of chemical composition.
Surface morphological analysis of the tensile fracture surfaces reveals the interfacial bonding
characteristics between fiber and matrix. Thermo-gravimetric analysis was also used to
evaluate the composite’s thermal stability.”

2.Introduction: The durability aspect of composites made of natural fibers should be also
discussed in the introduction based on the latest advances in the literature. The authors may
consider: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652617323946
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/pc.26413
Answer
-Thank you for your comment. We have added the durability aspect of composites made of
natural fibers in the introduction section based on the latest advances in the literature with
your mentioned 2 new relevant references on page 3 and 4.

“The usage of cellulosic fiber reinforced composites has steadily expanded in recent years,
which benefits both fiber plant cultivation and the country's economy [14]. “

“These natural fiber composites have been shown to have greater resistance to fracture,
improved electrical resistance, strong mechanical qualities, and effective thermal as well as
acoustic insulating capabilities [ 21].”

3.What are the advantages and significance of using the epoxy in composite? These are the
crucial points that need to be addressed in detail in the introduction section. The authors may
consider: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1528083717710713
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40799-017-0203-4
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1528083717740765
Answer

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- We have updated the manuscript with 4 new relevant references on page 3,4, and 6. The
introduction underscores the detailed examination of epoxy's advantages and significance
in composites. The ensuing discussion aims to elucidate the pivotal role of epoxy matrix in
enhancing the overall performance and durability of the reinforced composite materials.
Please check the revised part of the advantages and significance of using the epoxy in
composite.

“Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) can contain either synthetic/man-made or natural fibers
[5].”

“To meet the demands of the modern industrial world, hybrid natural composite materials are
necessary [22].”

“Epoxy resin is categorized within the thermosetting polymers family, characterized by a three-
dimensional covalent chain comprising repeating molecular units. Temperature and hardeners
both trigger this reaction. The main function of an epoxy resin is to transfer mechanical loads to
the fibers and shield the external environment's structure. The epoxy is quite compatible with
the fibers and has a certain amount of deformability. Epoxy resins exhibit superior mechanical
qualities and demonstrate greater heat and chemical resistance, particularly against alkalis, as
compared to thermosetting polyesters. Their physical characteristics are favorable, particularly
in moist environments. Because of this, a matrix material consisting of epoxy resin with a
density of 1.25 g/cc was chosen in the current study. Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) is
added to the matrix as a hardener. The epoxy and hardener were mixed in a ratio of 10:1 [41,
42].”

4.All equipment or materials used must be cited with (Model name, company name, country)

Answer
-Thank you for the comment. We cited all the materials with Model name, company name,
and country on page 7,8-12,14 and 15 respectively.

“As a matrix, Epoxy resin of commercial grade has been collected from the local market to
make the composite as shown in Figure 1(a).”

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“But here, instead of fiber form, it is gathered as a mat form from the local market.”

“Free of cost, these hairs are collected from the salon.”

“Later, the Universal Testing machine (Model No. H10KS, manufacturer- Tinius Olsen) machine
was used to conduct tensile tests under ASTM D 638-V standards as shown in Figure 4 [48]. This
integrated setup ensured precise control and monitoring throughout the tensile testing
process, and Figure 4(b and c) shows the tensile test specimen before and after breaking.
Samples continued to break from breaking until the maximum tensile strength is reached.”

“the flexural test is typically conducted as per the ASTM D790 standard [49]. Flexural tests were
performed in accordance with ASTM D 790, as illustrated in Figure 5(b-d) where the samples
images are shown before and after testing [50]. The flexural strength of the composite samples
is determined by the Universal Testing Machine (UTM) (System ID: 3369J8567, Manufacturer:
Hounsfield).”

“An unnotched Izod impact test was conducted according to ASTM D 4812 for the designed
samples with the use of a Universal Impact Testing equipment (QPI-IC-21J) as shown in Figure 6
[52].”

“The Shore Durometer (Shimadzu, Japan) was utilized in this investigation to determine the
hardness of the composite.”

“The current study utilized a computer-controlled TGA 6300 system (Seiko Instrument Inc.,
Japan) machine at a present rate of 0.01k/min and a gas flow of ≤1000 m/min.”

“Samples were analyzed on a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (81001

Spectrophotometer, Shimadzu, Japan) to investigate chemical composition.”

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