Effect of Euphorbia Coagulum on Flexural Property of Polyester Banana Fiber Composite

Presently composites are being made using either both the binder and the reinforcing fibers are synthetic or either one of the material is natural or synthetic. In the present study coagulum (dried latex) of Euphorbia royleana has been used for replacing polyester resin as a natural binder in polyester banana fiber composite. The influence of addition of different weight fraction of the coagulum n flexural property in the composite is studied. It was observed that with the increase in the coagulum fraction in matrix, the flexural property of the polyester banana fiber composite increases. The flexural strength increased by 25% and flexural modulus by 15% at 40% of coagulum weight fraction. This study presents the possibility of preparation of composites using coagulum of Euphorbia latex. The developed composite may be used in partition walls, roof tiles, interior linings of automobiles, etc as wood substitute

Morphology and Biodegradability Study of Natural Latex-Modified Polyester–Banana Fiber Composites

Composites of banana fiber were prepared using polyester resin/natural latex (Euphorbia coagulum) blend as matrix and evaluated for various physicomechanical properties. The best physicomechanical properties have been obtained by replacing 40% of polyester resin with coagulum. The morphology and biodegradability of the controlled and optimum composition of the composite, i.e., composite containing banana fiber, Euphorbia coagulum, and polyester resin in the ratio 40: 24: 36, were carried out. Morphology study shows that incorporation of Euphorbia coagulum in polyester–banana fiber composites improves the compatibility between the fiber and matrix. Biodegradability study shows that the composite containing polyester resin/Euphorbia coagulum blend as matrix exhibited a high degree of biodegradation compared to the composite containing polyester resin as the matrix. The use of developed green composites may help in reducing the generation of nonbiodegradable polymeric wastes