Influence of Chemical Treatment on Tensile and Flexural Properties of Sansevieria Cylindrica Polyester Composites

Abstract

The sansevieria cylindrica polyester composite slabs are made by compression molding technique using fibres treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), silane, calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and potassium permanganate (KMnO4) for optimum fibre length, optimum weight percentage and optimum curing temperature ( 40 mm, 40% wt, 600C) and their tensile properties have been studied. The inclusion of sansevieria cylindrica fibre as reinforcement into polyester matrix improves the flexural and tensile strength till a certain weight percentage, then it decreases drastically by further addition of fibre. The main problem in natural fibre is water uptake which damages the fibre and thereby the strength is reduced. To improve the performance, surface modification of fibres with various chemical treatments is performed and it enhanced the properties to a greater extent. Ca(OH)2 treated composites showed higher tensile strength whereas silane treated composites showed lower tensile strength. KMnO4 treated composites showed higher flexural strength whereas silane treated composites showed lower flexural strength.