THE EFFECT OF PROCESSING CONDITIONS AND BINDING MATERIAL ON THE MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF BAGASSE FIBER COMPOSITES

Steam-exploded bagasse fibres (mesh size 60) were used for the fabrication of composites. Polyethylene (high, medium and linear low density) was used as binding material to improve the mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the composites. The effects of variation in processing conditions (compression moulding temperature, mould heating time and moulding pressure) on mechanical properties of the composites were examined. The composites fabricated at high moulding temperature showed improvement in mechanical properties. A binding material (polyethylene 0-20 wt%) was used to improve the fibre adhesion. Significant increases in tensile strength and modulus were observed for the composites of bagasse fibres pretreated with polyethylene as compared to composite without binder.