Studies on Analysis and Characterization of Phenolic Composites Fabricated from Lignocellulosic Fibres

The use of lignocellulosic natural fibres has gained a growing interest during the last few years, principally due to many advantages these fibres can provide in terms of cost, renewability, biodegradability, aesthetic properties, environmental impact etc. Keeping in mind the immense advantages of natural fibres, the present communication is a study on the synthesis and characterization of lignocellulosic Saccaharum cilliare fibre-reinforced polymer biocomposites through compression-moulding technique using phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin as anovel polymer matrix. The effect of fibre loading on the mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of cellulose fibre reinforced biocomposites has been investigated. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength, compressive strength and wear resistance of fibre-reinforced polymer composites have been investigated as a function of fibre loading. Reinforcing of the polymer resin with lignocellulosic fibres was done in the particle (200 micron) form. The intact polymer biocomposites fabricated showed a common trend of enhancement in the mechanical properties with fibre loadings up to 30%, and beyond this loading the properties decreased. Fibre/matrix interaction has been analyzed by mechanical and morphological (SEM) studies. Thermal (TGA/ DTA/ DTG) studies have also been carried out on the PF matrix, Saccaharum ciliare fibre and particle-reinforced (P-Rnf) biocomposites.