PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF ALKALI TREATED CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA FIBER-REINFORCED PARTICLE-FILLED EPOXY COMPOSITES

The presence of particles and fibers as reinforcement in a polymer matrix greatly enhances the mechanical properties. Agricultural residues and natural fibers are commonly used nowadays due to the fact that they easily decompose even after a longer period and they are eco-friendly in nature. f Fiber that was extracted from stem of Calotropis gigantea was selected as reinforcement in the present investigation. Initially the fiber was treated with a sodium hydroxide solution and CG fiber-epoxycomposites were prepared. The properties of alkaline treated CG fiber-reinforced epoxy composites were further improved by the addition of particles such as chitosan, red mud and rice husk. Properties such as the tensile strength, flexural strength, impact toughness, hardness, water absorption, thickness swelling behaviour, specific wear rate and coefficient of friction were evaluated and compared. The XRD pattern of the chemically treated CG fiber-reinforced parrticle-filled epoxy composites was presented in the present study.