Fracture Toughness of Random Short Natural Fibers Polyester Composites

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe the fracture behavior of composites reinforced with two layers of Alfa random. An alkaline treatment at 1, 5 and 10% for a period of 24 hours with NaOH solution was performed to improve the mechanical properties of Alfa fibers. The morphological and structural changes that occurred in fiber after treatment; and the effects of this treatment on the mechanical properties of composites were discussed and were supported by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Many aspects of studies reported in this paper are original, such as the strain energy release rate and intensity factor evaluation of Alfa composites.