Investigation on the tensile and flexural behavior of coconut inflorescence fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites

Abstract

Natural fibers as reinforcement with polymer matrix have gained more advantage owing to its low density, high specific properties, biodegradability and abundant availability. In this connection an investigation has been carried out to make use of a newly identified natural fiber named coconut inflorescence fiber to reinforce with polyester resin. The natural fiber after extraction is subjected to mercerization treatment and the effect of mercerization on the surface of CIF was studied by FTIR and XRD analysis. FTIR spectrum analysis revealed the removal of functional groups present in the natural fiber owing to mercerization of CIF. XRD analysis shows improvement in crystalline size and crystalline index of the CIF as a result of mercerization. Samples of CIF/polyester composites were prepared by varying the length of the fiber as 10, 30, 50, 70 and 100 mm to be reinforced with different volume fractions of fiber/polyester resin as 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% respectively and the specimens were cut as per ASTM standards for testing. Further samples were taken for testing of tensile strength and flexural strength. Results showed fiber length played a predominant role for the increase in tensile and flexural strength of the composites for 25% volume fraction. SEM analysis was done to predict the effect of fracture behaviour of the composite specimen.

Mechanical and water absorption behavior of thermoset matrices reinforced with natural fiber

“…After that, the POF was added into polyester resin mixture and mixed about 15 min. [ 30 ] Then, the mixture was poured into rigid flat PEHD mold (Figure 2A) (with a cavity of 300 × 300 mm 2 and a thickness of 4 mm) and pressed in the hydraulic press (Figure 2B) with a constant pressure of 100 bar [ 31 ] at a room temperature during 1 h. Composite samples were prepared by adding different amounts of POF (0, 10, 20 and 30 wt%) and abbreviated as UPR/0POF, UPR/10POF, UPR/20POF and UPR/30POF, respectively (Figure 2C).…”

Physical and Mechanical Behaviour of Silane-Modified Coconut Inflorecence/Glass Fibril-Fortified Hybrid Epoxy Composites

“…Tere are several natural fbers, namely, husk, coir, sheath, and spathe, which have been extracted from coconut tree and their possibility of using it as a potential replacement for synthetic fber and enhancement of mechanical and other composite properties are explored from the extensive scientifc survey. Surprisingly one another natural fber called inforescence [5] was extracted from the coconut tree, and it was also found that minimal work has been disclosed on coconut inforescence shown in Figure 1 as the fortifcation material with polymer matrices. So, the present research focuses on the tensile and fexural behaviour of coconut inforescence fbril polymer composites subjected to silane coupling reactants to enhance the coherence at the fber/matrix interface during reinforcement with epoxy matrix.…”