Development of Degradable Composite Using Euphorbia Latex and Banana Fiber

Abstract

Composites comprise of two materials binder and reinforcing agent. The binder newlineact as stress distributor and reinforcing agent as the load bearer, and used for newlinestructural and load bearing applications due to their high strength. In the newlineconventionally available composites both the binder and the reinforcing fibers are newlinesynthetic or either one of the material is natural and other one is synthetic. newlinePresently natural fibers are used in the composite preparation along with the newlinepolymeric material to overcome the problem associated with global petroleum newlinefeedstock and voluminous waste generated after disposal of the composite newlinematerial. Natural fiber used in composites gets biodegrade after use when newlinedisposed to the environment but the polymeric materials used as matrix in newlinepreparation of these composites are generally durable and remains as such for newlinelong-time after disposal. So emphasis of environmental pollution problems and newlineland-shortage problem for solid waste management, such as non availability of newlinelandfills, public perception, and reduction of fertility of lands due to the newlineaccumulation of surface litter, the use of environmentally degradable and newline environmentally friendly polymers in the preparation of composites are become newlinethe area of interest for researchers. Use of plant based natural resin, as matrix in newlinethe composite preparation will reduce the waste accumulation after disposal. newlineFurther, utilization of natural fiber and natural resin especially plant based resin newlinewill provide incentive to petroleum based products. newlineIn this study, coagulum of Euphorbia latex has been used as the matrix and newlinebanana fiber has been used as reinforcing agent for the preparation of newlinecomposites. Broadly the thesis work has been divided into six chapters, each newlinebeing complete in itself.