Synthesis and Characterization of Surface Modified BananaPalmyra Fibers Reinforced Epoxy Unsaturated Polyester Blended Composites

Abstract

newline newlineABSTRACT newlineEngineering and Manufacturing companies are in continuous search of new and newlineimproved high performance materials and manufacturing process to reduce the cost and to newlineimprove profit margins. The use of polymer composites is increasing enormously due to newlinehigh strength, ease of fabrication, good finish to end products and low cost etc. The newlineautomotive and transportation industry benefits significantly from lighter materials and newlinerecyclable components due to their improved energy efficiency. Many new and different newlinematerials have been developed in the 21 newlinest newlinecentury. Among the new and different materials, newlinecomposite is one such a material which has revolutionized the concept of high strength to newlinelow weight, ease of manufacturing, low cost and high performance. The reinforcing fibers newlineare chosen to improve the properties namely stiffness, strength and performance of the newlinematrix. The synthetic fibers like kevlar, carbon, boron and glass fibers are being used as newlinereinforcing materials with resins for the composites, which have been widely accepted as newlinematerials for structural and non structural applications. However these synthetic materials newlineare resistant to biodegradation and can pose environmental problems. Various natural fibers newlinesuch as banana, palmyra, sisal, sun hemp, jute, kapok, tamarind, kenaf and flax fibers have newlinebeen used as reinforcing materials in fiber reinforced composites. newlineOwing to the increased environmental awareness the use of natural fibers as newlinepotential replacement for man-made or synthetic fibers in composites is progressing, as the newlinenatural fibers have special advantages when compared to the man-made fibers. As newlinecompared to the traditional synthetic fibers, natural fibers are able to impart the polymer newlinecomposites with properties like low cost, nonabrasive effect, enhanced mechanical newlineproperties, high biodegradability, high toughness, non corrosive, ease of processing, high newlinedegree of flexibility, good acoustic and thermal insulation, good calorific value, less newlinemach