STUDY OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES FOR UNSATURATED POLYESTER REINFORCED BY NATURAL FIBERS

Abstract

The composite materials reinforced with natural fibers plays a vital role for structural applications. Composites are escalating as sensible preferences in contrast to the metal combinations in numerous applications like automotives, marine and aviation, sports and products applications. Fiber composites offer numerous benefits like, high tensile strength and modulus, minimum specific gravity. In this paper it is viewed as that coconut inflorescence fiber reinforced polyester based polymer composites were manufactured by hand layup strategy and then followed by compression moulding method. The coconut fibers were exposed to alkali treatment to make the fiber free of hydrophobic substance. The mechanical properties for example tensile, flexural and izod impact strength were conducted and Scanning Electron Microscope investigation was carried out to discover the fracture failure. The results demonstrated that there is significant increment in strength of the composites contrasted with neat polymer composites. These natural fiber reinforced composites are mostly used in grain storage silos, bio gas containers, bath tubs, chairs lampshades, boats etc.