Mechanical and water absorption properties of Acacia Arabica bark fiber/polyester composites: Effect of alkali treatment and fiber volume fraction

Abstract

In this work, the water absorption and mechanical properties of alkali (NaOH) treated and untreated Acacia Arabica bark fiber composites were fabricated by hand lay-up technique. Effect of chemically treated fiber increased the surface roughness and mechanical properties as well as decreased the water absorption. Moreover, fibers were randomly oriented varying from 10% to 35% volume fraction (Vf) and also varying in the length of 10 mm to 50 mm. Tensile, flexural and water absorption tests were conducted as per ASTM standard. It was found that, the 25% volume fraction with 30 mm length of fiber had better properties compared with other compositions. The fractured specimens of tensile and flexural test were evaluated under scanning electron microscope to study the fiber pull-outs of the materials.