INVESTIGATIONS OF POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF SOME NATURAL FIBERS AS REINFORCEMENT FOR POLYESTER COMPOSITE

Unsaturated polyester was modified with phthalic anhydride and ethylene glycol use as composites with some fibres as reinforcement. The effect of physical and mechanical properties (tensile strength, compressive strength and flexural strength) was studies. The modifications shows that polyester composite on mechanical properties of the treated fiber composites increase as the concentrations of sodium hydroxide increase up to a threshold of 15% before experiencing a decrease, Fiber treated from 5-15% sodium hydroxide give better result than 20 – 22 % sodium hydroxide. It was also observed that in all the fibers treated with sodium hydroxide Grewia molis and the Poliostigma thonningii shows batter mechanical properties than Vernonia amaygdalima. These fibers were chemically process by retting, scouring, bleaching and mercerizing.