Study on Tensile Analysis of Untreated Chopped Natural Areca Sheath Fiber Reinforced Polymer Matrix Bio-Composites

Abstract

In the present work, the natural areca sheaths are soaked in water for 4 to 5 days to extract the fibers with help of wire brush. Extracted areca fibers are then dried in an ambient room temperature for 2 days. Then these dried fibers are cut into required length and will be used in preparation of polymer matrix bio composites. Natural areca sheath fibers are oriented in random direction. Natural areca sheath fibers with 30% volume fraction are poured into the prepared mould and compacted for 15 min. then the compact will be extracted from the mould are allowed to dry for 2 days to obtain the finally untreated natural areca sheath fiber reinforced polymer matrix bio composites. In the present work, tensile properties of untreated natural areca sheath fiber composites will be evaluated with experimental techniques. Finally, the obtained tensile properties will be validated with numerical simulation method. These untreated natural areca sheath fiber reinforced polymer matrix bio-composites may be used for small load carrying structural and non structural application.