Effect of bagasse fiber on the flexural properties of biodegradable composites

Flexural modulus of the press-molding composites made from bagasse fiber and biodegradable resin was investigated by experiment and numerical prediction with Cox's model that incorporates the compression ratio of the bagasse fiber in the cross section. The effect of the volume fraction of bagasse fiber and its length on the flexural modulus was examined. Up to 65% volume fraction in the experiment, the flexural modulus increased with increase of the volume fraction of the bagasse fiber. The numerical prediction was in good agreement with the experimental result. Above 65% volume fraction, however, the flexural modulus decreased in the experiment, while the prediction increased. It seemed that the biodegradable resin was insufficient to cover all the surface of bagasse fiber in the composite. Moreover, the decrease of the flexural modulus was found below 3 mm at the fiber length in the experimental and the same trend was shown in the numerical prediction.