AbstractFiber-reinforced polymer composites have played a

dominant role for a long time in a variety of applications for their

high specific strength and modulus. The fiber which serves as a
reinforcement in reinforced plastics may be synthetic or natural. Past
studies show that only synthetic fibers such as glass, carbon etc., have
been used in fiber-reinforced plastics. Although glass and other
synthetic fiber-reinforced plastics possess high specific strength, their
fields of application are very limited because of their inherent higher
cost of Production and also they are not biodegradable. The usage is
restricted for commercial applications since this leads to
environmental problems. In this connection, an investigation has been
carried out to make use of coir, a natural fiber abundantly available in
India. Natural fibers are not only strong and lightweight but also
relatively very cheap. The usage of composite material for
engineering applications is increasing to derive various advantages
such as reduction in weight, corrosion resistance, ability to tailor
designing, manufacturing process flexibility.
The present work describes the development and characterization
of a new set of natural fiber based polymer composites consisting of
coconut coir as reinforcement. The newly developed composites are
characterized with respect to their mechanical characteristics.
Experiments are carried out to study the effect of fiber content on
mechanical behavior of these composites. In the present work, coir
composites are developed and their mechanical properties are
evaluated. Scanning electron micrographs obtained from fractured
surfaces were used for a qualitative evaluation of the interfacial
properties of coir/epoxy. These results indicate that coir can be used
as a potential reinforcing material for many structural and non-
structural applications. Finally, the SEM of fractured surfaces has
been done to study their surface morphology. This work can be
further extended to study other aspects of such composites like effect
of fiber orientation, loading pattern, fiber treatment ,fiber length on
mechanical behavior of coconut coir based polymer composites.
KeywordsPolypropelene with coir, DTA/TGA, DSC, Thermo-
Mechanical Properties Analysis.
I. INTRODUCTION
VERVIEW OF COMPOSITES: Many of modern
technologies require materials with unusual combinations
of properties that cannot be met by the conventional metal
alloys, and metals. This is especially true for material that are
needed for aerospace, underwater, and transportation
N. Shiva Shanker is with the University College of Technology, Osmania
University, Hyderabad-500 007 India (phone: +91-9908247532; e-mail:
sivashankern@gmail.com).
B.Vijayalakshmi, was with Jawaharlal Nehru Govt. Polytechnic,
Ramanthapur, Hyderabad-500 013 India (e-mail: vijayatony@gmail.com).
Khalid Mohamed Hassan Ali, with the University College of Technology,
Osmania University, Hyderabad-500 007 India (phone: +919000064198; e-
mail: khalidscd10@yahoo.com).
B.Rajam, is with the University College of Technology, Osmania
University, Hyderabad-500 007 India (phone: +919346764226; e-mail:
rajam_ouct@rediffmail.com).
application. for example aircraft engineers are increasingly
searching for structural materials that have low densities,
strong, stiff, abrasion and impact resistant, and not easily
corroded. This is rather formidable combination of characters.
Frequently strong materials are dense also increasing the
strength generally results in a decrease in impact strength.
The advantage of composite materials over conventional
materials stem largely from their higher specific strength,
stiffness and fatigue characteristics, which enables structural
design to be more versatile. By definition, Composite material
is a material system composed of two or more dissimilar
materials (1-2), differing in forms, and insoluble in each other,
physically distinct and chemically inhomogeneous. The
resulting products properties are much different from the
properties of constituent materials.
Composites are materials that comprise strong load carrying
material (known as reinforcement) imbedded in weaker
material (known as matrix). Reinforcement provides strength
and rigidity, helping to support structural load. The matrix or
binder (organic or inorganic) maintains the position and
orientation of the reinforcement. Significantly, constituents of
the composites retain their individual, physical and chemical
properties; yet together they produce a combination of
qualities which individual constituents would be incapable of
producing alone. The reinforcement may be platelets, particles
or fibers and are usually added to improve mechanical
properties such as stiffness, strength and toughness of the
matrix material[13] .
Composites are used because the overall properties of the
composite are superior to those of the individual components.
Typically, reinforcing materials are strong with low densities
while the matrix is usually ductile, or tough, material. If the
composite is designed and fabricated correctly, it exhibits the
strength of the reinforcement with toughness of the matrix to
achieve a combination of desirable properties not available in
any single material.
Figure 1: Life Cycle Diagram of Natural Fiber Reinforced
Plastics
Studies on the Effect of Reinforcement of
Polypropylene with Coir
Siva Shanker N, Vijaya Lakshmi. B, Khalid Mohamed Hassan Ali, Rajam. B
O
World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 73 2013
1726
In the present study we used a thermoplastic polymer
(polypropylene) as the matrix and a lignocellulosic material
(Coconut coir ) as the reinforcing filler to prepare a particle-
reinforced composite to study the effect of using these fibers
ion polypropylene on various properties such as mechanical,
thermal and impact strength.
II. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
A. Materials
The matrix employed in the preparation of composite
samples was commercial PP (HO30SG) provided by Reliance
Industries Ltd. in the form of homopolymer pellets. Its density
was 0.895. Melt flow index is 3.0g/10min and its melting
temperatures is of 165171 C. The coir, used as reinforcing
filler, was obtained from a local coconut coir factory in
Rajamandry. The average length of the coir fiber used is 0.3 -
0.5 mm respectively.
B. Fabrication of composites and test specimens
Coir processed as mentioned above was initially mixed
thoroughly with PP granules at 5/95, 10/90, 20/80 and 30/70
wt. % mixing ratios. The compounding of reinforcement and
matrix was carried out with a JSW Twin Screw Extruder at a
temperature of 220
o
c. A standard polyolefin screw with a
25mm diameter. With a speed of 355 RPM was employed.
The extruded composites were cut into long pieces. All the
pieces were then crushed into smaller granules using a
pelletizer attached to the extruder. The granules were dried in
a hot air oven at 80C for 2 h and then fed into an Automatic
injection-molding machine for making specimens. The
specimens for tensile flexural, impact and hardness tests were
prepared as per ASTM D standards from dried granules using
the Automatic injection-molding machine (Japan steel works,
Japan) at a molding temperature profile of 180 C.to 230
0
c
Figure 2: 0.3-0.5 mm length of coconut coir fiber

Figure 3: (a) & (b)Tested specimens

Figure 4a: JSW Injection moulding
Figure 4b: Extrusion process
C. Mechanical testing
Determination of the Mechanical Properties, After fabrication
the test specimens were subjected to various mechanical tests
as per ASTM standards.
D.Tensile Properties
Tensile elongation and tensile modulus measurements are
among the most important indications of strength in a material
and are the most widely specified properties of plastic
materials. Tensile test is a measurement of the ability of a
material to withstand forces that tend to pull it apart and to
determine what extent the material stretches before breaking.
Tensile modulus is an indication of the relative stiffness of a
material can be determined from stress strain diagram.
Tensile properties of composite samples were measured
using universal testing machine (-SHIMADZU, JAPAN). The
load capacity was 50KN and cross-head speed was 100
mm/min using gauge length of 115 mm. tensile test is
generally performed on a flat specimens. Test specimens were
molded in a size of 13.5 mm (width), 63.66 mm (length) and
3.90 mm (thickness).
Tensile stiength =
Foice (loau )(lb)
Cioss section aiea ( sq. in)
Tensile mouulus =
Biffeience in stiess
Biffeience in coiiesponuing stiain
Stress is a ratio of applied load to the original cross
sectional area. Strain is the change in length per unit of the
original length (l /Al)
E. Bending Properties
Flexural strength is the ability of the material to withstand
bending forces applied perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.
Flexural properties of composite samples were measured using
universal testing machine (-SHIMADZU, JAPAN).
For bending tests, cross-head speed was 2.5mm/min and
span distance was 96 mm. tensile tests and three-point bending
tests were carried out following ASTMD638 and ASTMD790
standard methods respectively. For each treatment level, three
replicated specimens were tested.
World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 73 2013
1727
Fi
de
sc
us
Sh
in
nu
ar
w
sli
in
fir
fo
su
du
is
igure 5: Exper
specimen
F. Hardness
Hardness is
eformation,
cratching. Dur
sed for meas
hore hardness
ndentation by
umber, the gr
re most comm
with relatively
ightly harder
nstrument is sh
The test is c
rst placing the
oot of the inst
ure that it is
urometer hard
in firm conta
Figure 6: Sh
Figure 7: H
rimental setup
s for tensile t
Properties
defined as
particularly
rometer hardn
uring the rel
s is a measur
y 3 spring-lo
reater the resi
monly used- Ty
soft materials
r materials.
hown in fig. 6
arried out usi
e specimen on
trument is pr
parallel to th
dness is read w
act with the sp
hore or durom
Hardness comp
p and loading
test and three p
the resistanc
permanent
ness test or sh
lative hardnes
e of the resis
oaded indente
istance. Two
ype A and Typ
s while Type D
Durometer h
.
ing ASTMD 2
n a hard, flat s
essed onto th
he surface of
within 1 sec a
ecimen.

meter hardness
parison scale o
arrangements
point bend tes
ce of a mate
deformatio
hore hardness
ss of soft ma
stance of mat
er. The high
types of duro
pe D .Type A
D Durometer
hardness me
2240 test met
surface. The p
he specimen,
f the specime
fter the pressu
s testing mach
of some mater
s for the
st.
erial to
on or
s test is
aterials.
terial to
her the
ometers
is used
is with
easuring
thod by
pressure
making
en. The
ure foot
hine
rials
Em
nu
dir
str
im
the
Figur
Figu

mpirical relati
umber.
G.Impact Stre
The impact
rectly related
rength is a me
mpact tester (C
e samples w
re 8: Hardness
re 9: Compari
ions between
ength (IS)
properties o
to the overall
easure of toug
CEAST-6546
were condition
s units conver
ison of hardne
n Tensile stre
of the polym
l toughness of
ghness. It was
) according t
ned at 23
0
c+
sion table
ess scales
ength and Ha
meric materia
f the material.
s measured us
to ASTMD25
+2 and50% r
ardness
als are
. Imact
sing an
56. All
relative
World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 73 2013
1728
humidity. Values reported were average of three
measurements. The impact strengths of the composites were
conducted on a notched specimens .The charpy impact
strength is calculated by dividing the indicator reading by the
thickness of the specimen.
.
Figure 10: IZod impact testing machine
H.Water Absorption Test
Water uptake values of composite samples were calculated
by dipping the samples in a static bath containing water at
25
0
C.The water absorption tests were carried out immersing
the specimens for 24hrs in cold water. After immersion, the
excess water on the surface of the specimens was wiped up
using a piece of soft cloth and the final weights of the
specimens were taken. From the difference of weights of the
specimens percentage of water absorption was calculated.
I. Termo Gravimetric Analysis(TGA)
It was used in the determination of decomposition
temperatures and rates, as well as thermal stability kinetic
studies.TGA experiments were performed with a SDT Q600
thermo gravimetric analyzer (TA Instrument Inc. New Castle,
Deleware, USA).Tests were done under nitrogen at a scan rate
of .20C/min in a programmed temperature range of 20
0
c to
600C. A sample of 5 to 10 mg was used for each run. The
weight change was recorded as a function of temperature.
Derivative peak temperature (DTp) was taken as the
maximum temperature acquired from the differentiation of the
weight change as a function of time.
Figure 11: Gravimetric analyzer (TGA)
J. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
DSC is a thermal analysis that measures the quantity of
energy absorbed or evolved by a sample in calories as its
temperature is changed. It has been used to measure melting
points, heats of fusion and crystallization, oxidative induction
time and glass transition temperature .Differential scanning
calorimetry (DSC) experiments were performed with a DSC
Q20 system(TA Instrument Inc New castle, Deleware,(U.S.A)
Each sample was heated and cooled at a scanning rate of
20C/min under nitrogen atmosphere in order to prevent
oxidation. A test sample of 5 to 10 mg was placed in an
aluminum capsule and heated from 30 to 300C for each run.
The melting temperature(Tm), enthalpy(Hm), crystallization
temperature (Tc), were determined.
Figure 12: Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The mechanical properties of the coir fiber reinforced
composites prepared for this investigation. Details of
processing of the composites and the tests conducted on them
have been described in the previous chapter. The results of
various characterization tests are reported here. This includes
evaluation of tensile strength, flexural strength, impact
strength and hardness has been Studied and discussed. The
interpretation of the results and the comparison among various
compositions of composite samples are also presented.
3.1 Mechanical Characteristics of Composites
The characterization of the composites reveals that the
different composition of fiber is having significant effect on
the mechanical properties of composites. The properties of
composites with different compositions of fiber under this
investigation are presented in TABLE I.
TABLE I: Mechanical Properties of the PP-Coir Composites
Comp-
osites
Tensile
strength
(MPa)
Tensile
modulus
(GPa)
Flex-
ural
strength
(MPa)
Flex-ural
modulus
(GPa)
Impact
energy
(KJ/m2)
Hard-
ness
(shore)D
PP 35.9727 0.57 27.24 1.15 45.89 57
C1 37.2373 0.678 34.47 1.39 65.4 58.9
C2 38.624 0.6727 35.156 1.50 88.8 59.9
C3 41.2031 0.787 36.41 1.64 111.2 63.4
C4 40.3436 0.806 38.69 1.76 119.1 67.7
Where,
World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 73 2013
1729
PP =Polypropylene :
C1= composition prepared with 5% coir in pp;
C2 = composition prepared with 10% coir in pp;
C3 = composition prepared with 20% coir in pp;
C4 = composition prepared with 30% coir in pp;
Tensile Properties
The effect of fiber addition on tensile strength of pp-coir
composites is shown in Fig. 13.
Figure 13: Tensile strength for coir reinforced pp composites
The strength of a composite may increase or decrease with
the introduction of natural fibers to the polymer matrix.
Normally fibers are able to improve strength but some of the
fibers are not consistent or irregular in shape influences the
strength of the composite. In the study, poor reinforcement of
the fiber in the pp matrix is the main cause of the lower tensile
strength value [8-10].
It reveals that the tensile strength increases with the
increase of fiber addition upto certain percentage (20 %) and
after that it decreases. It is to be noted that, the tensile strength
values remained higher compared to that of neat PP.
Upto this composition (increasing region) the fiber and the
polymer are well distributed.Up to 20% treated fiber addition
the fiber and matrix bear the load and make resistance to slip
as in the case of age hardening of metals.
Up to 20% the short fibers are finely distributed and the
interfacial bonding between the fiber and matrix is good, after
that fibers are present as bundle of fibers and fiber-fiber
bonding strength is lesser and the interfacial bonding between
the fiber and matrix is poor. After that the fiber are coagulated
as bundle of fibers, bundle of fibers fractured during load to
slips and does not make resistance to slips.
Consequently, after 20% fiber addition the tensile strength
decreases. Similar effect was found by asad akhter[14], C.Y
Lai[4],Nazrul Islam[3 ], . S. Y. Lee and some researchers.
In the following sections the results were published by
performing different tests by Universal Testing Machine with
computer integration were performed in the CIPET Hyderabad
and the date is tabulated in TABLE II as below.
TABLE II: Tensile Properties of Composites
composites
Max.displace-
Ment mm
Stress
MPa
Strain
%
Yield point
MPa
Breaking
force.
N
PP 6.318 35.9727 0.63 9.34854 1837.11
C1 8.2055 37.2373 0.58 9.5436 1898.54
C2 6.714 38.624 0.57 9.88557 1970.47
C3 6.555 41.2031 0.52 9.66761 1865.63
C4 7.33 40.3436 0.50 9.249 1768.61
Graphs obtained between strain and strain curves of the
composites for different filler loadings from the computer of
UTM are shown in fig. 4. 20% of coir( virgin pp) 5% of coir.

10% of coir 20% of coir


Figure 14: Stress-strain diagrams for different compositions
Fig 14 shows the Youngs modulus of the composites of
coir at different coir loading. It is clear in the Figure that
incorporation of fiber has significantly increased the modulus
with increasing coir loading, as modulus is considered to be a
World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 73 2013
1730
linear function of coir concentration. Since coir has higher
modulus than PP, incorporation of the filler into the matrix has
improved the stiffness of the composites. Youngs modulus is a
measure of stiffness of a material.
Figure 15: youngs modulus with filler loading for reinforced
pp composites
The tensile properties of the composites made with the
twin-screw extruding system were better than those of the
composites made with the single-screw extruding system, due
to the improved dispersion of the filler. The tensile strength
and modulus of the lignocellulosic fillerPP composite made
with the twin-screw extruding system were improved in the
case of the composite made without any compatibilizing
agent.[2]
Flexural Properties
Flexural strength and modulus of the composites of
reinforced PP composites are shown in Figs. 15 and 16,
respectively.
In both cases, addition of fiber has increased the flexural
strength of the composites. However, the values remain almost
constant for 10% to 25% filler Loaded composites. Similar
effect was found by asad akhter[14], C.Y Lai[ 4], Nazrul
Islam[3 ]. For 0% fiber the polymer strength was obtained
27.24 MPa. The flexural properties of composites are
presented in TABLE III.
TABLE III: Flexural Properties of Composites
Composites
composition
Max-force
Kg
Flexural stress
(MPa)
Strain% Flexural modulus
(MPa)
PP 126.3 27.3 6.4 1.15
C1 129.1 34.47 7.0 1.399
C2 136.1 35.156 7.3 1.505
C3 138.8 36.407 6.2 1.645
C4 171.5 38.69 5.3 1.7679

Figure 16: flexural strength vs filler loading
Incorporation coir has resulted in an increase in the
flexural modulus of the composites, which is found to be in
line. The values of flexural modulus of composites are found
to increase with the increasing coir content.
Figure 17: Flexural modulus for coir reinforced pp composites
Since coir is high modulus material higher fiber concentration
demands higher stress for the same deformation and higher
degree of interfacial adhesion between the coir and the matrix
provides better stress transfer from the matrix to the coir.
Impact Strength
Figure 18 shows the impact strength behavior of coir-PP
composites as a function of coir content. It is evident in the
Figure that up to 30% coir content the impact strength shows a
linear increase and then show a plateau with a little increase in
the values up to 25% coir content. The impact strength of
composites is governed mainly by two factors: first, the
capability of the coir to absorb energy that can stop crack
propagation and second, poor interfacial bonding which
induces micro-spaces between the coir and the matrix,
resulting in easy crack propagation [10,11]. Probably these
two factors offset each other when the coir content exceeds
15%, showing a steady behavior in the impact strengths of the
composites.
youngsmodulus vs wt% of coir
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
0 10 20 30 40
wt% of coir
y
o
u
n
g
s

m
o
d
u
l
u
s
(
M
P
a
)
youngsmodulus vs
wt% of coir
f lexural strength vs wt% of coir
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
0 10 20 30 40
wt%of coir
f
l
e
x
u
r
a
l

s
t
r
e
n
g
t
h
(
M
P
a
)
f lexural
strength
t% f
flexural modulus vs wt% of coir
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2
0 10 20 30 40
wt% of coir
f
l
e
x
u
r
a
l

m
o
d
u
l
u
s
(
M
P
a
)
flexural
modulus
t%
World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 73 2013
1731

Figure 18: impact strength for coir reinforced pp composites
The impact strength of the composite depends on the
amount of fiber and the type of testing. i.e whether the
samples were notched or un-notched. In case of notched
samples, the impact strength increases with the amount of
fibers added until a plateau is reached at about 45% fiber
weight. Addition of the fibers creates regions of stress
concentration that require less energy to initiate a crack.
Hardness
Hardness of a particular sample refers to its stiffness or
resistance of being broken to have its shape changed
permanently when load is applied to it. It is an indication of
the composite to resist crack propagation when subjected to a
sudden impact on it. For composite materials it depends on the
distribution of filler into the matrix [11,12].

Figure 19: hardness for coir reinforced pp composites
As shown in Fig. 19, the incorporation of coir reinforced
composites increased their hardness further increases in filler
content. This indicates a decrease in flexibility and an increase
in stiffness of the composites with increasing coir content.
Water Absorption Behavior
Figure 20 shows the water absorption behavior of coir-PP
composites in water as a function of filler content. With
increasing filler content the number of hydroxyl groups in the
composites increased which consequently increased the water
absorption. It has been reported that water absorption can
significantly be minimized if the filler is thoroughly
encapsulated by the matrix [1].yang and coworkers [15,16]
reported that natural fiber polymer composites show
remarkable water absorption due to the presence of voids. In
the present work, we have measured the dimensions of
samples after the immersion tests. No dimensional changes
were observed within the time span of the experiments, which
might be attributed to encapsulation of the fiber into the
matrix. This indicates that water absorption takes place mainly
in the micro-spaces of the fillermatrix interface.

TABLE IV: Physical Properties of Coir
composites Water absorption
(%)
PP 0.015
C1 0.31
C2 0.62
C3 0.72
C4 1.54



Figure 20: Water absorption behavior of coir
Thermal Properties
TGA results: TGA curves of PP are shown in Figure 21.
With the addition of coir, an average decrease in
decomposition temperature compared to neat PP was
observed. The decrease in decomposition temperature is
attributed to of volatile decomposition products caused by the
dispersed coir particles in the PP matrix. The derivative peak
temperature (DTp) of neat PP was 437.53C.Due to the
presence of coir, the decomposition grade increases. Hence
there is decrease in order of the degradation temperature.
DSC results: TABLE IV shows the DSC results of PP
results used in this study. All systems had a higher melting
temperature (Tm), compared to neat PP. Neat PP had the
lowest Tm (166.15C) .The increased loading level of coir had
no significant effect on the Tm of the hybrids. At 5 phr
loading of coir, the Tm increased up to 5C with increasing
coir content However, at the 10 and 20 phr coir loading level,
the effect of coir on the change of Tm was not significant
(TABLE IV).
The enthalpy (Hm) of caloric processes was determined at
the heating rate of 10C/min (TABLE I).The Hm of neat PP
at transition temperature was 21.85 J/g, but the Hm with
different loading levels ranged from 10.6 to 24.54 J/g,
indicating an increasing thermal stability. Meanwhile, the
addition of coconut coir from5 to 20 phr increased the Hm
from 10.60 to 14.27 J/g. This result indicates that coir
variation of impact strength with
wt% of coir
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
0 10 20 30 40
wt% of coir
i
m
p
a
c
t

s
t
r
e
n
g
t
h
(
J
/
m
)
Series1
HARDNESS VS WT% OF COIR
56
58
60
62
64
66
68
70
0 10 20 30 40
wt% of coir
h
a
r
d
n
e
s
s
(
s
h
o
r
e
)
HARDNESS
VS WT%
variation of water absorption with
the wt % of coir
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0 10 20 30 40
wt% of coir
w
a
t
e
r

a
b
s
o
r
p
t
i
o
n
(
%
)
Series1
World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 73 2013
1732
absorbed more heat energy in the melting of the composites as
the Hm of coir was much lower than that of neat PP [5].
The crystalline peak temperature (Tc) of the composites is
shown in TABLE I. The Tc of PP was 110.26C, and the
addition of coir (at 5wt%) increased the Tc to 113.41C. coir
act as nucleating agents, which increase the crystallization
temperature of pp. [6,7]. The addition of coir (10 to 30 phr) to
the composites increased the Tc to 115.49C .
This result indicates that the nucleating effect of composite
was further strengthened by the addition of coconut coir. With
increase in coir crystallization properties increased.
TABLE V: Thermal Properties of PP/Coir
Systems PP/Coir
Thermal properties
Tm(
o
c) Hm(J/g) T
0
c
PP 100/0 162.05 25.34 110.26
C1 95/5 161.3 12.66 113.41
C2 90/10 160.88 15.07 113.51
C3 80/20 160.14 14.04 113.98
C4 70/30 160.96 42.99 115.49
Where
Tm melting point, Hm=enthalphy, Tc= crystalline
temperature
TGA thermographs of PP/coir:
Fig 21(a) TGA thermographs for virgin pp
Fig 21(b) TGA thermographs for 5 wt% of coir

Fig. 21(c) TGA thermographs for 10 wt% of coir
Fig. 21(d) TGA thermographs for 20 wt% of coir
Fig. 21(e) TGA thermographs for 30 wt% of coir
Fig. 21(f) TGA thermographs of pp/coir
DSC melting results of PP/coir: (i) Exo heat flow; (ii) Endo
heat flow
Fig. 22(a) DSC melting result of pp/coir
Fig. 22(b) DSC melting result of pp of 5% coir

Fig. 22(c) DSC melting result of pp of 10%coir
Fig. 22(d) DSC melting result of pp of 20%coir
TGA thermographs of (a) PP/coir
TGA thermographs of pp having the coir composition of 10%
TGA thermographs of pp having the coir composition of 20%
TGA thermographs of pp having the coir composition of 30%
TGA thermographs of pp/coir
DSC melting results of pp/coir DSC melting results of pp having the coir composition of 5%
DSC melting results of pp having the coir composition of 10% DSC melting results of pp having the coir composition of 20%
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Fig. 22(e) DSC melting result of pp of 30%coir

Fig 23(a) DSC results Exo heat flow
Fig 23(b) ) DSC results Endo heat flow
IV. CONCLUSION
In the present study, the effect of fiber content on the
mechanical properties of coir reinforced pp composites has
been investigated. This experimental investigation leads to the
following conclusions.
For coir-PP composites, the values of tensile strength are
initially increased up to 20% and then shown decreasing
trend to 30% with further increases in coir content.
It is to be noted that for coir-PP composites, the tensile
strength values remained higher compared to that of neat
PP.
Other mechanical properties such as flexural strength,
flexural modulus and hardness of coir reinforced PP
composites are found to be much higher as increase of
coir increases the hardness and stiffness.
Water absorption behavior in water immersion tests
reveals that in lower amount of water absorption is higher
with the increase of coir content as the coir is
hygroscopic. So, by reinforcement of some hydrophobic
component (water repellent), the water absorption can be
reduced.
The addition of coir decreased the decomposition
temperature and increasing the melting temperature.
With the increase of coir content, the crystallization
properties were increased.
As the coir loading increased, morphological study
revealed more coir particles
This suggests that due to the nature of coir the
degradable studies can be studied which are helpful in
biodegradable composites.
Main functioning of the composite is reduction of
plastic materials and also increasing of biodegradable
nature.
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DSC melting results of pp having the coir composition of 30%
DSC melting results of PP/coir. Exo heat flow;
DSC melting results of PP/coir. Endo heat flow;
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