Mechanical characteristics of sandwich palm/glass based polymer composite

Abstract

Palm fibers one among the natural fibers whose leaf stalk and sheath portion were extracted manually. The extracted fibers were alkali treated which enhances fiber properties. In this study three composites were prepared namely, the first one with palm leaf stalk fiber, the second one with palm leaf sheath fiber and the third one with hybrids of palm leaf stalk/sheath fibers. All these fibers were sandwiched inside glass fibers with polyester resin matrix. The composite plates so prepared were tested as per ASTM standards. After various tests it can be noted that the hybrid composite shall be used for fabricating automobile parts like car bumpers, under body shield, etc.