Manufacturing and experimental characterization of new-developed natural fiber reinforced polymer nanocomposite

In this work, a nanocomposite polymer is developed using less utilised palm leaf stalk fiber as natural reinforcement and nano coconut shell powder blended with polyester resin as a matrix. The fibers are extracted from palm leaves. The fibers are treated with 5% potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as an alkali for 1 h. They are then thoroughly cleaned with water and dried in an oven. The fibers are chopped into short strands. The polyester matrix is pre-prepared by blending with coconut shell nanopowder. The fabrication of the composite is completed using these mats as reinforcement in the prepared blend. Mechanical tests are performed on the newly developed composites. The experimental findings are compared to similar natural fibers, and found that palm-based composite exhibits superior values. Structural electron microscopy observations reveal the presence of matrix, reinforcement and the absence of voids due to the addition of nanopowder. The developed composite may be recommended for automobile and aerospace applications.