Evaluation of Bending Strength of Abaca Reinforced Polymer Composites
2018; Elsevier BV; Volume: 5; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.matpr.2017.11.396
ISSN2214-7853
AutoresAgnivesh Kumar Sinha, Harendra Kumar Narang, Sandip Bhattacharya,
Tópico(s)Bamboo properties and applications
ResumoUtilisation of natural fibres is a key step in fabrication of various structural (natural fibre) composites. Abaca has found its place as the most widely used natural fibre ever since it was used in combination with polypropylene to fabricate a natural fibre composite and was subsequently patented by the Daimler Chrysler for use in under floor protection in automobiles. In the present study bending strength of abaca-epoxy (polymer) composites is evaluated and analysed. Abaca-epoxy single and double layered composites were fabricated utilising hand layup technique. Prior to fabrication, abaca fibres were chemically treated with 5% wt. alkali solution (NaOH) to improve interfacial adhesion property between fibre and matrix. Flexural strengths of single and double layer composites were determined by 3-point bend tests. Thereafter a comparison is made between the flexural properties of single and double layered composites to analyse the variation in bending strength of abaca polymer composites. This study reveals that fibre loading and chemical treatment of the abaca fibres result in significant improvement of flexural strength of abaca-epoxy composites.
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