Study of chemical and mechanical properties of Dharbai fiber reinforced polyester composites

Abstract

This investigation is focused on identifying a new variety of natural fiber (Dharbai fiber) for reinforcement in polymer matrix composites. An investigation on extraction procedure of Dharbai fibers has been undertaken. The chemical properties of Dharbai fibers were determined experimentally as per TAPPI standards. The FT-IR Spectroscopy was used to study the chemical structure of Dharbai fibers and the tensile properties of these fibers were studied using single filament test. The fibers extracted were reinforced in polyester matrix by varying the fabrication parameters namely fiber weight content (%) and fiber length (mm). The effect of fiber weight content and fiber length on the mechanical properties of Dharbai fiber-polyester composites were evaluated as per ASTM standards. Scanning electron microscope was used to characterize the interfacial bonding between Dharbai fibers and polyester matrix. This study confirmed that, the Dharbai fibers could be used as an effective reinforcement material for making low load bearing polymer composites.

Keywords:

• polymer matrix composites (PMCs)
• chemical properties
• mechanical properties
• Dharbai fibers
• scanning electron microscope (SEM)

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the timely help rendered by South India Textile Research Association, Coimbatore for providing test facilities, and G. Sozhan, Scientist Department of Electro Inorganic Chemicals, Central Electrochemical Research, Institute, Karaikudi, Tamilnadu for his valuable suggestion to this work.