Hybrid Natural Fiber reinforced Polymer Composites

Development of low cost materials and composites, as a structural material is of interest in the view of Indian economy, particularly in the rural development. In the present study, Areca fiber and maize powder is used, as a reinforcing material and appears to be a promising material because they are inexpensive, degradable, abundant availability and also environment friendly. An appropriate methodology to develop a new material with the natural fiber hybrid composites are much in need. The present work deals with the areca fibers extraction from the dried Areca husk and maize powder from maize stem. Preparation of composite plates with different weight fraction of urea formaldehyde resin and mechanical properties like tensile test, bending test and adhesive tensile test were carried out. Finally it is concluded that, the test results of areca fibers and maize powder reinforced Urea formaldehyde composite would be a very promising material for packing and other general structural applications with moderate duration. And also, these composites are very promising alternate and substitute material for the conventional wood based plywood or particle board.