This paper summarizes the structural characterization of borassus fruit fibers by means of various characterization techniques, optimization of alkali treatment of borassus fruit fine fibers (BFF) with a 5% concentration sodium hydroxide solution for different time intervals (1, 4, 8 and 12 h) and the changes occurring in borassus fibers. This paper also discusses the manufacturing of BFF/PP compotes using MAPP as a compatibilizer in addition to alkali treatment. Composites were evaluated for their mechanical and morphological properties. The tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus and impact strength were increased for alkali treated/MAPP composites by 4.5%, 17%, 17.2 %, 9% and 10% respectively.

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Many studies have been performed on hybrid fiber reinforced concrete for years, which is to improve some of the weak material properties of concrete. Studies on characteristics of hybrid fiber reinforced concrete using amorphous steel fiber and polyamide fiber, however, yet remain to be done. The purpose of this experimental research is to evaluate the workability and mechanical properties of hybrid fiber reinforced concrete using amorphous steel fiber and polyamide fiber. For this purpose, the hybrid fiber reinforced concrete containing amorphous steel fiber(ASF) and polyamide fiber(PAF) were made according to their total volume fraction of 0.5 % for water-binder ratio of 33 %, and then the mechanical properties such as the compressive strength, direct tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural toughness of those were estimated. It was observed from the test results that the compressive strength was slightly decreased with increasing ASF and decreasing PAF and the effect of fiber combination on the flexural strength was not much but the flexural toughness was relatively largely increased with decreasing ASF and increasing PAF.

It should be noted that the use of the lathe scrap for making fiber reinforced cementitious composites raised friendly environmental effect as well as economy because the lathe scrap is a by-product of steel manefactures and is occurred when lathe and milling works of them are conducted to process steel manufactures. Thus, the purpose of this experimental research is to investigate workability and strength characteristics of lathe scrap reinforced cementitious composites(LSRCCs). For this purpose, three types of lathe scraps were collected from processing plants of metal, and then LSRCCs containing these were made for 2mm width and 40mm length. As a result, it was observed from the test results that the workability of LSRCCs was slightly decreased than plain mortar and the flexural strength of LSRCCs were much larger than these of plain mortar and effect of types of lathe scrap on the characteristics of LSRCCs were somewhat large.