Tensile properties of natural fabric Hildegardia populifolia/polycarbonate toughened epoxy composites

The environmentally friendly composites of natural fabric Hildegardia populifolia/polycarbonate toughened epoxy were prepared. The effect of fabric content and the orientation of the fibers in the fabric on the tensile properties of the composites was studied. The effect of alkali treatment of the fabric and a silane coupling agent on the tensile properties was also studied. The tensile properties improved with alkali treated fabric content when a coupling agent was used. (C) 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.