Mechanical Properties and Chemical Resistance of Short Tamarind Fiber/Unsaturated Polyester Composites: Influence of Fiber Modification and Fiber Content

C. Uma Maheswari, K. Obi Reddy, E. Muzenda, M. Shukla, A. Varada Rajulu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In the present work, tamarind fibers were extracted from ripened fruits by the water retting process. Using these fibers as reinforcement and unsaturated polyester as matrix, composite samples were prepared by the hand lay-up technique. The effect of chemical surface treatments (alkali and silane) of tamarind fibers on the mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and interfacial bonding was studied. The mechanical properties of the composites with surface modified fibers were found to be higher than those with unmodified fibers. Morphological studies indicated improvement of interfacial bonding by alkali and silane coupling agent treatments of the fibers. The composites were found to be resistant to many chemicals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)520-533
Number of pages14
JournalInternational Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization
Volume18
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 1 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Chemical Engineering(all)
  • Polymers and Plastics

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