Coir Fibres II: Evaluation as a Reinforcement in Unsaturated Polyester Resin Composites

Abstract

Hybrid laminates consisting of glass fiber mat, chopped bristle coir fibers and un saturated polyester resin matrix were fabricated. Effect of treatment of coir fibers with alkali and dichloro methyl vinyl silane on the mechanical properties of the laminates was investigated. The hybrid composites having 66% resin (w/w) and 19.7% chopped coir fiber (1cm long) showed 35% improvement in flexural strength and 70% in flexural modulus over the neat polyester resin sheets. Mechanical properties of laminates increased on increasing the coir fiber length up to 1 cm beyond which a decrease in strength was observed. Hybrid laminates fabricated from NaOH treated coir fibers had better mechanical properties than those fabricated from untreated coir fibers. A decrease in thermal conductivity was observed with increasing weight fraction of coir fibers.

A Review of Natural Fibers Used in Biocomposites: Plant, Animal and Regenerated Cellulose Fibers

“…227 Varma et al studied coir fibers and their composites in detail. 66,228 2.1.3.2 Cotton. Cotton (Gossypium) is the most famous natural fiber which is native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world.…”

Scanning electron microscopy study of chemically modified coir fibers

“…These properties make the coir fiber extremely useful for various domestic and commercial applications. Another important application for coir, developed over the last few decades, is as part of the preparation of composites of different polymers, 2,3 In most of these applications coir fiber is used in both its natural and modified forms. A study on the surface morphology of a fiber that can be used in both its natural and chemically modified forms will be more helpful because user of the fiber will be applicable to several meaningful purposes.…”

The layer disorders defect in coir fiber under thermal and chemical treatment

“…Taking into consideration the contribution of crystallite size the total variance of the line profile in given by (6) Where W p is the variance due to crystallite size and can be written as (7) Where p is the true particle size of the crystallite Using equations (5) and (6), the total variance can be written as (8) where…”

“…Jute composite doors have been used for Tsunami rehabilitation in Andaman -Nicobar Island. Attempts have also been made [6][7] to fabricate composite materials based on coir and other natural fibers which are abundantly available in tropical countries like India.…”