EFFECT OF FIBER CHARACTERISTICS ON MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF COMPOSITES

Abstract

In the present research work, behavior of bio-composites incorporating banana fibers in poly-lactic acid matrix has been studied. These bio-composites were developed using extrusion-injection process. The effect of variable fiber loading (10%, 20% and 30%) on the mechanical properties of developed composites was studied. By considering economic aspect, bio-degradability and analyzing mechanical properties of these composites, 30% fiber loading was found to be optimum and hence, fixed for the treated fiber reinforced composites. The effect of fiber surface treatment on the mechanical properties of developed composites was investigated. To perform the comparative study, banana fibers were modified using three different treatments i.e. sodium hydroxide treatment, potassium permanganate treatment and maleic anhydride treatment. All the treated and untreated fibers were characterized using Fourier transform spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical properties of treated fiber composites were examined in the form of tensile, flexural and impact strength. All these properties were found to improve for treated fiber composites as compared to untreated fiber composites except for maleic anhydride treated fiber reinforced composites. This improvement in mechanical properties was also verified using morphological analysis