Improvement of the Mechanical and Water Absorption Properties of C. Citratus Fibre Reinforced Polyester Composite: Response Surface Methodology Approach

Lignocellulosic fibre-based composites have gained a significant attention as alternative to synthetic fibres due to their biodegradable, renewable and eco-friendly nature. The study explores the effect of fibre treatment, fibre length and volume fraction on the mechanical and water absorption properties of lemon grass (C. citratus) fibre reinforced polyester composite. The fibres were treated with 6% NaOH solution. The composite samples were fabricated using hand lay-up and compression moulding technique with a mould measuring 300mmx19mmx3.2mm, employing different fibre lengths (10mm, 30mm and 50mm) and volume fractions (10%, 30% and 50%). Unsaturated polyester resin was used as a matrix. It was observed that surface modification of fibre, fibre length and volume fraction affect the mechanical and water absorption properties of the composites. The modified fibre with composition, 10mm fibre length and 50% volume fraction exhibits minimum water absorption of 1.279% and highest tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus of 33.71±3.28MPa, 2.529±0.188GPa, 54.561±1.162MPa and 2.021±0.110GPa respectively compared to that of the unmodified fibre composite with the same fibre composition.