Experimental investigation on tensile and flexural properties of randomly oriented treated palmyra fibre reinforced polyester composites

Abstract The natural fiber is a best replacement for synthetic fiber which is reinforced with polymer composites for advanced engineering application. The main purpose of this paper is to study the tensile and flexural properties of untreated and treated palymra natural fiber reinforced polyester composites. Palmyra fibre is used as a reinforcement and the polyester resin is used as a matrix. Composites plates were fabricated through handlayup moulding techniques. The treated palymra fiber composites yields excellent tensile and flexural properties. Tensile tests revealed that the ultimate strength is about 48 MPa, and elongation break at 6%. The flexural strength is estimated to be around 64 MPa respectively. The mechanical properties of materials prepared from a chemical treated with potassium permanganate palmyra are found to be much stronger than those of untreated fiber. Surface morphologies of fracture surfaces of composites were reported using electron microscopy scanning (SEM).