Processing and Properties of Biodegradable Composites to Strengthen Structures

Advantages of composite materials based on natural fibre have warranted increased utility of these products and have significantly offset the use of artificial fibre composites. This work on preparation of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites has been carried out by utilizing naturally occurring fibres from sisal, jute, banana, and ramie plants. Two sets of FRP composites have been prepared (1) by chemical treatment and (2) without chemical treatment. Detailed characterization of FRP composites prepared has been carried out. Detailed procedures for preparation of the samples have been explained. Parameters like tensile strength, flexural strength, water absorption, density, and microstructure analysis are performed. For density measurement, Archimedes concept using air and water weight measures and ASTM C830-00 guidelines have been followed. KIC-2-1000-C is employed for tensile tests, and digital weighing method is adopted for water absorption analysis. The FRP prepared have a great potential as natural fibre polymer composites (NFPCs) and constitute for a wide range of applications. A significant improvement in these properties has been obtained by heat and chemical treatment of these composites. Satisfactory improvements of the properties were noticed with heat and chemically treated fibre-reinforced composites. Tensile and flexural strength tests were carried out on untreated and treated sisal, jute, ramie and banana fibre-reinforced composites, which revealed significant improvement of treated composites (tensile strength 73.59, 41.70, 36.30 & 33.87 N/mm2 and flexural strength 60.77, 40.47, 72.05 and 31.54 N/mm2, respectively) as compared to untreated composites (tensile strength 57.24, 37.72, 35.19 and 21.83 N/mm2 and flexural strength 50.51, 40.27, 41.77 and 21.35 N/mm2 respectively).