Mechanical Properties of Abaca Fiber Reinforced Urea Formaldehyde Composites

Abstract

The present investigation focuses on the fabrication and mechanical characterization of alkali treated natural abaca fiber reinforced urea formaldehyde composites. The composites were prepared by means of compression moulding, and then the effects of fiber loading on mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength were investigated. The composite with 40 wt% abaca fibers gave excellent tensile strength and flexural strength showing that it has the most superior bonding and adhesion of all the composites. In particular, the highest value, 10.02 kJ/m2 of charpy impact strength is observed in the composite with 50 wt% abaca fiber. This work revealed the potential of using abaca fibers in fiberboard.