A Study on Impact Strength Characteristics of Coir Polyester Composites

To study the energy absorption capability of coir polyester composites, experimental studies were conducted as per ASTM D256 norms. Experiments were conducted on specimens with both untreated and treated with 5 % NaOH solutions. The specimens of 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm and 6 mm thicknesses with fiber volume fraction of 10 %, 15 %, 20 %, 25 % and 30 % were tested to study the variation of their impact strength with variation in specimen thickness and fiber volume fraction respectively. From the results it is observed that, as the thickness and fiber volume fraction of both treated and untreated coir polyester composite specimens increases, the impact strength also increases. Untreated coir polyester composite of 30 % fiber volume fraction yielded its highest impact strength of 1.570 N-m. Similarly treated composite specimens also yielded its peak impact strength of 1.275 N-m at its 30 % fiber volume fraction. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.