INTRUDUCTION

Environmental awareness, new rules and legislations are forcing industries to seek new
materials which are more environmental friendly. Man-made fibres using glass, carbon,
boron etc. are being used as reinforcing materials in the fibre reinforced plastics which have
been widely accepted as materials for structural and non-structural applications.

The main reason for the interest in FRP is due to their specific modulus, high stiffness, and
strength to weight ratio compared to other conventional materials. Now a days natural fibers
like cotton, coir, sisal jute and other natural fibers have attracted the attention of scientists and
technologists for applications in packaging, low-cost housing, and other structures.

It has been found that the natural fibre composites possess required mechanical strength and
other properties with better electrical resistance, good thermal and acoustic insulating
properties, and high resistance to shocks and fracture.

Natural areca fibre despite their low strength can lead to composites with specific strengths
because of their low density. Natural fibres are abundantly available renewable resources.
Dried Natural fibres are nontoxic and eco-friendly and biodegradable and are quite cheap.
Scientific data of the structure and properties of the fibres are readily available.

Composite material is a material made from two or more constituent materials with
significantly different physical or chemical properties that, when combined, produce a
material with characteristics different from the individual components.

Classification of composite materials:

Based on reinforcement:
Reinforcement is a consequence applied that will strengthen an organisms future behaviour
whenever that behaviour is preceded by a specific antecedent stimulus.

Matrix is basically a homogeneous and monolithic material in which a fibre system of a

composite is embedded.it is completely continuous. The matrix provides a medium for
binding and holding reinforcement together into a solid. It offers protection to the
reinforcements from environmental damage. Serves to transfer load and provides finish,
durability.
 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 C.V Srinivas et.al [1]: Natural Fibres composites are considered to have potential use
as reinforcing material in polymer matrix composites because of their good strength,
stiffness, low cost, environmental friendly and biodegradable. In present study, mechanical
properties for natural fibre composites were evaluated. Here, areca fibre is used as new
natural fibre reinforcement and epoxy resin as matrix. The extracted areca fibre from areca
husk were chemically treated to get better interfacial bonding between fibre and matrix.
Composite were prepared with randomly orientated fibres with different proportions of fibres
and matrix ratio. Mechanical tests i.e. impact and hardness tests were performed and the
results are reported. The results showed that, as the fibre volume fraction and composite post
curing time increases the mechanical properties of the composite increases.

2.2 Divya Sundarraj et.al [2]: The research and development results dealing with the
idea of creating Areca Catechu L. needle punched non-woven fabric. Areca Catechu L. fibre
is the most comfortable natural fibre and also has good-breathing properties besides being
skin friendly and easy to care. Needle punched Areca Catechu L. Non – woven blended
fabrics made out of using one of the Recycled Polyester and Regenerated Viscose Rayon in
different proposition of 50:50, 60:40 and 70:30 weight% were manufactured using needle
punching techniques respectively. Morphological study (FESEM analysis, EDX analysis),
physical, mechanical and colourfastness properties of the needle punched non-woven fabrics
were studied

2.3 Srinivasa C. V et.al [3] : Natural fibres are considered to have potential use as
reinforcing agents in polymer composite materials because of their principal benefits:
moderate strength and stiffness, low cost, and being an environmental friendly, degradable,
and renewable material. A study has been carried out to evaluate impact properties of
composites made by areca fibres reinforced urea formaldehyde, melamine urea formaldehyde
and epoxy resins. The extracted areca fibres from the areca husk were alkali treated with
potassium hydroxide (KOH) to obtain better interfacial bonding between fibre and matrix.
Then composites were produced by means of compression moulding technique with varying
process parameters, such as fibres condition (untreated and alkali treated), and fibre loading
percentages (50% and 60% by weight). The developed areca fibre reinforced composites
were then characterized by impact test. The results show that, impact strength increase with
increase in the loading percentage. It is observed that, treated areca fibre reinforcement
increases impact strength when compared to untreated areca fibre reinforcement.

2.4 R.P.Swammy et.al [4] : In this paper, mechanical properties of the fibre extracted
from the areca fruit are determined and compared with the other known natural fibre coir.
Further these Areca fibres were chemically treated and the effect of this treatment on fibre
strength is studied. Areca fibre composite laminates were prepared using Phenol
Formaldehyde with randomly distributed fibres. Composite laminates were prepared with
different proportions of phenol formaldehyde and fibres. Other tests like adhesion tensile test,
moisture absorption test, and biodegradable test of areca-reinforced phenol formaldehyde
composite laminates were conducted and reported.

2.5 Sakshi S Kamath et.al [5]: Natural fibres, nowadays; have become the matter of
discussion in the research field amongst various scientists to inculcate it in the formation of
composites instead of production of composites using synthetic fibres like glass, carbon and
aramid. This is due to various advantages associated with natural fibres like eco-friendly, low
cost, availability in abundance and its bio-degradability. Lots of work has been carried out in
the production of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites, using natural fibres like jute,
hemp, cotton, sisal, kenaf, bagasse, areca, abaca, bamboo etc. and their properties have been
studied. Here is an attempt made on the literature survey of areca fibre reinforced polymer
composites where different properties of areca fibres, its maturity level, surface treatment
effect on properties of fibres, composite formation with different matrices, its mechanical
properties, thermal and acoustic properties related to different composites has been
highlighted.

2.6 S. Dhanalakhmi et.al [6] : Every day, every second in different part of the world,
new class of environmental friendly greener materials like natural fibre reinforced polymer
composites with superior properties are being produced in order to improve livelihoods of
people. In this study, untreated, alkali treated, potassium permanganate treated, benzoyl
chloride treated and acrylic acid treated areca fibre reinforced natural rubber composites were
fabricated by using heat press machine under 40%, 50%, 60% and 70% fibre loadings at a
compounding temperature of 130 degree C. The aim of this research work is to study the
influence of chemical treatments on the tensile strength of areca fibre reinforced natural
rubber composites. The investigation of tensile strength of untreated and all chemically
treated areca fibre reinforced natural rubber composites was done by following ASTM
standard procedures. It is observed that with increase in fibre loading up to 60%, the tensile
strength of untreated and all chemically treated areca fibre reinforced natural rubber
composites were increased and then, they showed a decline. Further, amongst all untreated
and chemically treated areca fibre reinforced natural rubber composites, the highest tensile
strength was shown by acrylic acid treated areca fibre reinforced natural rubber composites
with 60% fibre loading

2.7 G C Mohan Kumar [7] : Mechanical properties of the fibres extracted from the
areca are determined and compared with the other known natural fibre coir. Further these
Areca fibres were chemically treated and the effect of this treatment on fibre strength is
studied. Areca fibre composite laminates were prepared with randomly distributed fibres in
Maize stalk fine fibre and Phenol Formaldehyde. Composite laminates were prepared with
different proportions of phenol formaldehyde and fibres. Tensile test, moisture absorption
test, and biodegradable tests on these laminates were carried out. Properties of these areca-
reinforced phenol formaldehyde composite laminates were analysed and reported.

2.8 Srinivasa et.al [8]: Natural Fibres composites are considered to have potential use as
reinforcing material in polymer matrix composites because of their good strength, stiffness,
low cost, environmental friendly and biodegradable. In present study, mechanical properties
for natural fibre composites were evaluated. Here, areca fibre is used as new natural fibre
reinforcement and epoxy resin as matrix. The extracted areca fibres from areca husk were
chemically treated to get better interfacial bonding between fibre and matrix. Composite
were prepared with randomly orientated fibres with different proportions of fibres and matrix
ratio. Mechanical tests i.e. impact and hardness tests were performed and the results are
reported. The results showed that, as the fibre volume fraction and composite post curing
time increases the mechanical properties of the composite increases.

2.9 C V Srinivas et.al [9]: Natural Fibres composites are considered to have potential use
as reinforcing material in polymer matrix composites because of their good strength,
stiffness, low cost, environmental friendly and biodegradable. In present study, mechanical
properties for natural fibre composites were evaluated. Here, areca fibre is used as new
natural fibre reinforcement and epoxy resin as matrix. The extracted areca fibres from areca
husk were chemically treated to get better interfacial bonding between fibre and matrix.
Composite were prepared with randomly orientated fibres with different proportions of fibres
and matrix ratio. Mechanical tests i.e. impact and hardness tests were performed and the
results are reported. The results showed that, as the fibre volume fraction and composite post
curing time increases the mechanical properties of the composite increases.

2.10 J.S. Binoj et.al [10]: Natural fibres are being used as a reinforcing materials for
polymer composites due to their eco-friendly properties. Areca fruit husk fibre (AFHF) is one
such fibre which is being wasted from tobacco industries, but has a huge potential. It is light
in weight with perforated surface which enables good bonding with polymer matrix.
Comprehensive characterization such as physical, chemical, thermal, mechanical and
microstructural properties are done on the fibre and the composite made with that fibre to
optimize the fibre content. The optimum fibre content is found to be 40 weight%, whereas
beyond that, fibre pull out and de bonding reduces the load bearing capacity of the composite.
The specific properties of AFHF polymer composite are even higher than the popular E-glass
fibre composite which projects AFHF composite as an alternate structural material

2.11 Srinivas Shenoy Heckadka et.al [11] : Natural fibres and biodegradable matrices
are being considered nowadays as substitutes to synthetic fibre reinforced polymer
composites mainly in sectors where high load carrying capacity and high strength are not
prerequisites. Present study utilizes biodegradable matrix composite prepared by varying the
weight of the base material (95–170g), binder (5to10g), and plasticizer (5to20g) with treated
areca fibre reinforcement. Contents are transferred to a pneumatic press, compacted, and
subjected to curing. Taguchi method with L8 orthogonal array was used to reduce the number
of experiments. Specimens for the flexural tests are cut out from the prepared laminates and
tests are performed using UTM. Maximum flexural strength of 16.97MPawas obtained with a
combination of base (170g) binder (10g) and plasticizer (5g). Analysis of the results indicated
that plasticizer has the maximum effect on flexural strength of the biodegradable composites
2.12 Srinivasa Chikkol Venkateshappa et.al [12] : In the present work, the
mechanical properties of composites obtained by using areca fibres in epoxy matrix have
been investigated. The areca fibres extracted from the areca husk are alkali-treated with
potassium hydroxide to get better interfacial bonding between fibres and matrix .The test
specimens are prepared with different values of weight ratio of fibre to matrix, the fibres
being randomly oriented. The test specimens are cured for different periods of time to study
the effect of curing time on the mechanical properties. The results of tests such as water
absorption, tension, compression, bending, impact, and hardness conducted on the test
specimens are herein reported. It is found that the mechanical properties of the composites
tested are greatly influenced by (i) alkali treatment of fibre, (ii) weight ratio of fibre–matrix,
and (iii) curing time.

2.13 Kishan Naik et.al [13]: This paper focused on fabrication of areca fibre extraction
machine. This is basically removing fibre from areca husk. The areca husk is outer cover of
areca nut which consists of fibre. These fibres are being extracted manually. This has several
problems such has time consuming, low production rate, human error, low quality fibre, more
workers and skilled labours. This paper aims to overcome these problems by fabricating areca
fibre extraction machine which automates the fibre extraction process. This machine consists
of 3 phase ac motor which is directly coupled to driven-shaft. The driven shaft is enclosed in
a casing which is designed in such a way that only dust is removed and fibre comes out of
rectangular duct at lower side of casing. The driven shaft is supported by two bearings and
has blades which are designed by modifying the blade design of coconut husk decorticating
machine. Thus this machine will be helpful for rural entrepreneurs and farmers.

2.14 N. Muralidhar et.al [14] : Areca nut husk fibre is an agricultural waste, which does
not contribute to the economy of areca nut plantation. The use of areca nut husk fibre as
reinforcing material in the preparation of low-cost and lightweight composites provides
utility value to areca nut husk fibre. Low-cost and lightweight composites have wide range of
applications in construction industry, marine structures, automobile industry and aerospace
industry. The present work focuses on extraction of areca nut husk fibre with alkali treatment
process by using 6% of sodium hydroxide solution, composite panel preparation and
determination of mechanical properties of composite panels. Different fibre compositions
(fine fibre, coarse fibre and coarse fibre sandwiched with glass fibre) of 15% by weight were
used in the present study. Tensile, flexural and impact tests were conducted to find the
mechanical characteristics the composite materials. The tensile strength of composites made
with fine fibre (15.1 MPa) is observed to be more than that of composites made with coarse
fibre (10.8 MPa). Further improvement in tensile strength of composite panels made of coarse
areca nut husk fibre layer sandwiched with two layers of glass fibre (24.8 MPa) is observed.
The flexural strength of fine fibre composites is more when compared to that of the coarse
fibre composites. The average flexural strength of composites reinforced with fine fibre,
coarse fibre and coarse fibre sandwiched with glass fibre is observed as 73 MPa, 66.7 MPa
and 284 MPa, respectively. The impact strength of coarse fibre composites is found to be
higher when compared to that of fine fibre composites.

2.15 Savita Singh et.al [15] : An experimental processing for optimizing mechanical
properties of micro-scaled areca nut powder (ANP)-reinforced epoxy composites has been
reported. The ANP is a specific combination of different areca nut particulate sizes by weight
percentage. The samples of ANP-reinforced epoxy composites with different filler weight
percent (10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) were processed into laminates by casting method.
The experimental results showed optimum mechanical strength for 30% ANP-reinforced
epoxy composite while higher dielectric constant for 40% and 50% ANP-reinforced epoxy
composites which can become alternative engineering materials. Additionally, the
exploration of mechanical properties prediction models for ANP-reinforced epoxy
composites has been performed by comparing the obtained experimental values of
mechanical properties and the existing theoretical prediction models via constitutive
modelling parameters for nonlinear regression using Graph pad Prism 6 software. Novel
modelled equations named as SAS prediction models for density, thermal conductivity and
mechanical strength for micro-scaled ANP-reinforced epoxy composites have been
developed. The genesis theory of variation in mechanical strength and thermal conductivity
of the developed ANP-reinforced epoxy composites has been investigated by Raman
spectroscopy methods.
 OBJECTIVES
To develop natural fibre composite

To evaluate mechanical properties like tensile strength, hardness.

To investigate wear characteristics

To study metallurgical behaviour by SEM

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