A STUDY ON MECHANICAL BEHAVIORS OF ALKALI TREATED COIR FIBER REINFORCED PARTICLES IMPREGNATED POLYESTER COMPOSITES

Abstract

The global demand for a building material is gradually growing, while the availability of manmade synthetic resource is diminishing. This current trend has led to the development of alternative materials. There were a various synthetic materials that have been explored and advocated. Polymer composites claim a major participation as building materials and other all applications. In general the natural fiber composites are low cost, no health hazard and good mechanical properties etc. Studies on the use of natural fibers as replacement to man-made fiber in fiber-reinforced composites have increased and opened up further industrial possibilities. Natural fibers have the advantages of low density, low cost, and biodegradability. However, the main disadvantages of natural fibers in composites are the poor compatibility between fiber and matrix and the relative high moisture absorption. Therefore, chemical treatments are considered in modifying the fiber surface properties. The main objectives of this present work, to investigate the mechanical properties of alkali treated coir fiber and particles such as chitosan, eggshell and red mud reinforced polyester composites. Initially the coir fibers were treated with NaOH solution to improve the interfacial bonding between fiber, particle and matrix. The composite plates were fabricated using coir fiber particles by compression molding techniques. The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, impact and compressive strength were evaluated as per ASTM standards. The SEM images and XRD studies were also carried out for the above combination of coir fiber reinforced particles impregnated polyester composites.