The Effect of Fiber Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of Christmas Palm Fiber-Polyester Composites

2013 ◽  
Vol 467 ◽  
pp. 208-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kalyanasundaram ◽  
S. Jayabal
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Polymer Matrix Composites ◽  
Alkali Treatment ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Compression Moulding ◽  
New Variety ◽  
Palm Fiber ◽  
Fiber Treatment ◽  
Polyester Matrix ◽  
Polyester Composites

This paper aims at introducing and investigating the mechanical properties of new variety of natural fibers (Christmas palm fiber) used as reinforcement in polymer matrix composites. It was inferred that the poor inter laminar bonding between the Christmas palm fibers and polyester matrix restricted the mechanical properties of the composites. Hence surface modifications of Christmas palm fibers by means of alkali treatment were done in a view to enhance the bonding nature of the Christmas palm fiber with polyester matrix. The composite fabrication is carried out using compression moulding machine and the mechanical properties were tested as per ASTM standards. The effect of soaking time and solution concentration of Sodium hydroxide on the mechanical properties of Christmas palm fiber reinforced polyester composites were studied and fiber treatment conditions for better mechanical properties are identified. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations showed that surface modification improved the fiber/ matrix adhesion which in turn enhanced the mechanical properties of the Christmas palm fiber reinforced polyester composite.

Mechanical properties of potassium hydroxide-pretreated Christmas palm fiber-reinforced polyester composites: characterization study, modeling and optimization

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 839-849 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kalyana Sundaram ◽  
S. Jayabal
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Potassium Hydroxide ◽  
Alkali Treatment ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Physicochemical Interaction ◽  
Palm Fiber ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
Characterization Study ◽  
Polyester Composite ◽  
Polyester Matrix

Abstract The mechanical properties of Christmas palm-reinforced polyester composite were improved by chemical modification of Christmas palm fibers through alkali treatment. An attempt was made in this investigation to identify the possibility of using potassium hydroxide as alkali solution. The fibers treated with potassium hydroxide aqueous solution at varying solution concentrations and soaking times were reinforced in a polyester matrix and tested for their mechanical properties. The physicochemical interaction between the treated Christmas palm fiber and polyester matrix was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The surface modification of fibers improved the compatibility of fibers with polyester matrix, which, in turn, resulted in better mechanical properties. A nonlinear regression model was developed to predict the mechanical properties of the composites using response surface methodology. The better treatment conditions for optimum mechanical properties were determined using a heuristic optimization method called particle swarm optimization (PSO). The optimized value obtained using the PSO technique was validated through a confirmation test, and the result was found to be significant.

scholarly journals Effect of Organo-Modified Nanoclay on the Mechanical Properties of Sugar Palm Fiber-reinforced Polyester Composites

BioResources ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rao Muhammad Shahroze ◽  
Mohamad Ridzwan Ishak ◽  
Mohd Sapuan Salit ◽  
Zulkiflle Leman ◽  
Mohammad Asim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Palm Fiber ◽  
Sugar Palm Fiber ◽  
Polyester Composites
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