INFLUENCE OF CHEMICAL TREATMENTS ON THE MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ARECA SHEATHFLAX FIBRES BASED EPOXY COMPOSITES

In the present work, Areca Sheath and Flax fibres were selected as reinforcements. The selected fibres were treated with chemicals namely Hydrochloric acid, Sodium Hydroxide, and Benzyl Chloride. Four different composites were developed using the hand lay-up process, three composites based on treated fibres and one composite with untreated fibres for comparison. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis was done to study the functional groups present in the fibres. The developed composites were characterized for its mechanical characteristics namely tensile, flexural, impact and hardness as per ASTM. The tested composites were analysed for its morphological characteristics using Scanning Electron Microscopy. From the results, it was found that sodium hydroxide treatment to fibres was beneficial to improve its mechanical property when compared to the other composites.