Mechanical And Water Absorption Behavior Of Natural Fibers Reinforced Polypropylene Hybrid Composites

Abstract

From the past decades, abundant usage of natural fibers is observed in polymeric composites due to factors like natural availability, cost economy, low density compared to synthetic fibers, easy processing and biodegradability. Coastal regions of India including Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are well known for immense plantations of Banana fiber (BF) and coconut fiber (CF) trees.The stem portion of these plantations are usually discarded as waste. This study evaluated usage of this fibrous waste from banana and coconut plantations as reinforcement in thermoplastic polypropylene(PP) to form a hybrid composite structure. This study aims to reduce the cost of conventional plastics by utilizing the optimal quantity of natural fiber reinforcement. Issues such as water absorption and fiber/matrix delamination of natural fiber reinforcements are considered for obtaining better application characteristics. The samples of BF/CF reinforced polypropylene hybrid composite are manufactured using twin screw extruder and injection moulding machines at different fiber loadings(CF/BF/PP)of 15/5/80, 10/10/80 and 5/15/80 wt.%. The effect of fiber loading on hybrid composites is studied. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength of the resultant hybrid composites are optimized based on fiber loading. The moisture absorption characteristics of the hybrid materials are also evaluated.