EFFECT OF CHEMICAL TREATMENTS ON HARDNESS AND TOUGHNESS PROPERTIES OF GREWIA SERRULATA REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITES
Author(s):
Satish Shenoy B1, Mahesha GT2*, M Vijaya Kini2 and Padmaraj NH1
Affiliation(s):
1Department of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering, Manipal institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal- India, 576104
2Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Manipal institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal- India, 576104
*Corresponding author E mail ID: [email protected]
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Natural fiber reinforced composite materials were manufactured by reinforcing Grewia Serrulata with unsaturated polyester matrix material. To improve the adhesion between fiber/matrix interphase; fibers were treated with Silane, Acetylation and Potassium Permanganate solutions. Partially biodegradable composite materials were prepared using hand lay-up technique. Toughness and hardness of the materials were investigated according to ASTM standards. Acetylation and Silane treatment of Grewia Serrulata improved the compatibility between the matrix and the fibers and resulted in significant enhancement of hardness and impact strength.