MECHANICAL TESTING OF NEW NATURAL FIBRE REINFORCED COMPOSITE MATERIAL

Abstract

- The present uses of natural fibers as a partial replacement for the synthetic fibers and there by utilizing eco-friendly materials in various automotive applications namely bumpers, wind shields, doors, ceilings etc. Although there are many research findings related to natural fiber composites. These fibers are also having high strength to weight ratio as well as high stiffness to weigh ratio, etc. With increasing environmental concerns natural fibers are once again being considered as reinforcements for polymer composites. Due to the environmental awareness and economical considerations, natural fiber reinforced polymer composites seems to present a viable alternative to synthetic fiber reinforced polymer composites such as glass fibers. In this present work cocciniagrandis fiber composites with polyester resin are fabricated by using compression molding process. The mechanical properties like tensile, hardness, density, surface roughness and wear test are carried out as per ASTM standards for the developed composites. The test result shows that cocciniagrandis composite alkaline treated fiber plate in tensile test in higher value and had shore D hardness of 87.5 which are superior to all the other developed composites. The average density of this polymer composite is 1.0172 g/cc.