Investigation of Fiber Surface Treatment on Mechanical, Acoustical and Thermal Properties of Betelnut Fiber Polyester Composites

This research work is concerned with the development of unsaturated polyester composites reinforced with betelnut fibers. Moreover, the fibers were chemically modified by sodium hydroxide and its effects on the fiber/matrix interaction were also evaluated. Raw and chemically modified fibers have been used in different proportions for the preparation of these composites. The optimization of fiber proportions has been done in term of their tensile strength. The sodium hydroxide treatment effect of fibers was verified by FTIR analysis and the fibers morphological aspects of fibers by SEM. Likewise, the sound absorption coefficient of composites were studied using impedance tube method. The thermal analyses of composites were made using Thermogravimetric analysis. Compared with untreated fiber composites, there was an improvement in the tensile strength of the treated fiber composites. SEM micrographs of betelnut fiber surface revealed the rough and perforated surface of fibers. Whereas, the cross sectional of the betelnut fibers showed the bigger lumen structures. The sound absorption coefficients of composites increased as the frequency increased and thicker composites appeared to perform better than those of thinner ones. The thermal stability of the treated fiber composites was found to be higher than that of untreated fiber composites.