A Study on Shore D Hardness of Areca Husk Fibre Reinforced Polyester Resin Composite: Impact of Fibre Maturity

Areca husk fibre is an agro-waste natural fibre that can be used in reinforced resin composites due to its low density, low cost and higher mechanical strength. Hard composites have applications in the packing industry and automobile industries. Over the years, researchers have been trying to develop lightweight, cheaper and efficient materials for them in daily life. In the present study, the Shore-D hardness level of chemically surface-modified unripe and ripe Areca Husk Fiber (AHF) reinforced polyester resin composites have been investigated. The unripe and ripe AHF are chemically treated through mercerization, potassium permanganate treatment, benzoylation, acrylation and acetylation methodologies to change their fibre-matrix bonding ability. The composites of chemically treated unripe and ripe AHF-reinforced polyester resin composites are fabricated, polyester resin as matrix material and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO) as a hardener. The Shore-D analysis was carried out to study the hardness properties of the composites. In conclusion, The acrylation treated AHF polyester resin composite shows a better harness among the other chemically treatments. Although, the fibre maturity of AHF increases the composite hardness except for benzoylation and acetylation chemical treatments. AHF-reinforced polyester resins can be used as hard materials in various applications such as automobile sectors, the packaging industry and more.