Effect of surface modification on characteristics of naturally woven coconut leaf sheath fabric as potential reinforcement of composites

Abstract

Increase in biological and ecological concern has made to find newnatural fibers which are biodegradable, from renewable sources and flexibility to chemical modification. Naturally woven Coconut leaf sheath (CLS) fabric were investigated. Removal of impurities on alkali treatment was carried to check the performance of these CLS fabric. On alkali treatment tensile and thermal properties were enhanced due to increase in crystallinity. The eco-friendly coconut leaf sheath fabric was found to be a suitable reinforcement material in composite structure for biocomposite applications.