2. Natural fibers are considered as serious alternative to synthetic
fibers for use in various departments. Fiber-reinforced
composites played a vital role for a long time in a variety of
applications for their high specific strength and modulus.
Increased environmental awareness and consciousness
throughout the world has developed and increasing interest in
natural fibers and its applications in various departments.
3. The fiber which serves as a reinforcement should be synthetic and
natural. In this connection, an investigation has been carried out to
make use of Nuna fiber (Morinda citrifolia), and Tamarind fiber
(Tamarindus indica), a natural fiber available in India. Natural
fibers are not only light-weight and strong, but also cheaper than
other natural fibers. This project is about analyzing the mechanical
properties of the above said two fibers reinforcing with epoxy resin
and bisphenol resin. The natural fiber made materials are eco-
friendly and moreover economic which improves its efficiency when
applied, and it can be decomposed naturally.
4. INTROUCTION
In this project, we are fabricating the natural fiber composite based
on mechanical properties. Already, projects based on natural fibers
from many plants have been undertook by researchers in the
global market. But, we are taking new plants in this project which
are not established in the engineering department; but they are
used in the medical field. We are combining the fibers to form a
new composite plate. Moreover, we are choosing resin which will
enhance the mechanical properties of the natural fibers.
5. MATERIALS USED
• Natural fibers and
• Resins
Natural Fibers: Natural fibers are being used so as to be eco-
friendly as well as to reduce the pollution in the earth. The two
natural fibers that we have opted for our project are as follows:
1. Nuna fiber ( Morinda citrifolia )
2. Tamarind fiber ( Tamarindus indica )
6. Morinda citrifolia (Nuna fiber)
Morinda is a genus of flowering plants in
the madder family, Rubiaceae. The generic
name is derived from the Latin word morus
“mulberry”, from the fruits, and indica, meaning
“of India”.
7. Description: Distributed in all tropical regions of the
world, Morinda includes 80 species of trees, shrubs
or vines. All Morinda species bear aggregate or
multiple fruits that can be fleshy or dry. Most species
of this genus originate in the area of Borneo, New
Guinea, Northern Australia and New Caledonia.
Ayurveda: In traditional Japanese, Korean and
Chinese medicine, Morinda citrifolia is considered to
be a herb with biological properties, although there is
no confirmed evidence of clinical efficacy.
8. Tamarindus indica (Tamarind fiber)
Tamarindus indica is a leguminous tree in the
family Fabaceae indigenous to tropical Africa.
The tamarind tree produces edible, pod-like fruit
which is used extensively.
9. Description: The tamarind is a long-lived, medium-
growth herb, which attains a maximum crown
height of 12 to 18 meters. The crown has an
irregular, vase-shaped outline of dense foliage. The
tree grows well in full sun in clay, loam, sandy and
acidic soil types, with a high resistance to drought
and aerosol salt. The evergreen leaves are
alternately arranged and pinnately compound. The
leaflets are bright green, elliptical ovular pinnately
veined, and less than 5 cm in length. The tamarind
does flower, though inconspicuously, with red and
yellow elongated flowers. Flowers are 2.5 cm 2ide,
five-petalled, borne in small racemes, and yellow
with orange or red streaks. Buds are pink as the
four sepals are pink and are lost when the flower.
10. FIBER PREPARATION
The above said shrubs were picked from tree,
and the leaves from the shrubs were removed.
Then, the shrubs were air dried. After they were
made to dry, the shrubs were beaten and
segregated very thin thread-like structures.
These thread-like fibers were cut with the help
of scissors, with the fiber length of 1 cm to 2 cm.
After the fiber is cut with the fiber length of 1
cm to 2 cm, again these fibers were made to air
dry.
12. SELECTION OF RESINS
Resins are any of the chemically modified
natural resins or synthetic polymers which are
physically similar, including thermoplastic
materials such as polyvinyl, polystyrene, and
polyethylene, as well as thermosetting materials
such as polyesters, epoxies, and silicones. They
are used as stabilizers, pigments and other
components to form plastics.
