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Environmentally-friendly, biodegradable, “green” composites were fabricated from starch-based matrix and bagasse (sugar cane waste) fibers. Native corn starch was mixed with glycerin and water, emulsified then added to the bagasse fibers previously prepared and treated by NaOH. The composite was preheated, then pressed for 30 minutes at 5 MPa and 170°C. SEM showed good adhesion between fibers and matrix up to 60wt% fibers. Density measurements showed low porosity for all composite samples up to 60wt% fibers. Both the tensile and flexural strengths increased as the fiber weight fraction increased from 0% to 60%. Water Uptake and thermal degradability tests showed higher stability for composite with increasing fiber content. The results show that the 60wt% bagasse fiber starch-based composite is an eco-friendly and inexpensive candidate for many applications.

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Abstract. In this research, the friction stir welding of dissimilar commercial pure aluminium and brass (CuZn30) plates was investigated and the process parameters were optimized using T aguchi L9 orthogonal array. T he considered process parameters were the rotational speed, traverse speed and pin offset. The optimum setting was determined with reference to ultimate tensile strength of the joint. The predicted optimum value of ultimate tensile strength was confirmed by experimental run using optimum parameters. Analysis of variance revealed that traverse speed is the most significant factor in controlling the joint tensile strength and pin offset also plays a significant role. In this investigation, the optimum tensile strength is 50% of aluminium base metal. Metallographic examination revealed that intermetallic compounds were formed in the interface of the optimum joint where the tensile failure was observed to take place.