Studies on the properties of palmyra Palm leaf stalk fiber PPLSF Reinforced polyester composite Materials

Abstract

Fiber reinforced plastic composites replace wood and metals due to newlinetheir light weight high strength to weight ratio non corrosive nature and newlinestiffness Natural fibers are used in place of synthetic fibers because of newlineenvironmental concerns Natural fibers exhibit low specific strength and low newlinedensity Also they are easy to process and recycle However Poor interfacial newlineadhesion between fiber and matrix low melting point and lack of resistance newlineto moisture has limited the use of natural fibers Chemical pre treatments are newlineused to overcome the above limitations which improves the scope for the newlineusage of the natural fibers newlineThis research work aims at studying the possibility of using newlinePalmyra Palm Leaf Stalk Fiber PPLSF a natural fiber exacted form Palmyra newlinepalm tree Borassus fablifier This fiber is rich in cellulose inexpensive and newlineis abundantly available At present this fiber is used for manufacturing of newlinepainting brushes and brooms PPLSF is subjected to various chemical pretreatments using sodium hydroxide Mercerization benzoylchloride and newlinepotassium permanganate newline newline