Preparation of Unidirectional Grewia Serrulata Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Composites and Evaluation of Tensile and Flexural Properties

Partially biodegradable composites were prepared using bast fibers extracted from Grewia Serrulata trees with unsaturated polyester resin. Different durations of fiber pretreatment and volume fraction variations were tried for fabricating the composites. Hand lay-up technique was used for the fabrication; tensile strength and flexural strength of the specimens were tested following American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. It is found that the mechanical properties of Grewia Serrulata bast fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester composites are superior in comparison with relevant properties of unsaturated polyester resin. Such natural fiber-reinforced composites are adaptable in applications such as automotive interiors, partition walls, and false ceilings and ensures easy material disposal ways at the end of service life as raw materials used are mostly biodegradable.