The present investigation aimed to understand the physicochemical properties of new natural fiber extracted from Albizia amara (AA) bark. The chemical composition and structural, thermal, and tensile properties of AA fibers (AAFs) were investigated. The results indicated that AAF had crystallinity index of 63.78%, cellulose of 64.54 wt%, hemicellulose of 14.32 wt%, lignin of 15.61 wt%, and low density of 1043 kg/m³. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that AAFs were thermally stable up to 330.6°C and the functional groups of the AAFs were identified by Fourier transform infrared analysis. The AAFs exhibited tensile strength of 640 ± 13.4 MPa with strain rate of 1.57 ± 0.04%. This investigation reveals that AAFs could be a suitable material as reinforce agent in natural fiber–polymer composites for different applications.

Fiber-reinforced polymer materials are finding their increasing importance as structural material in marine, civil and aerospace applications. The durability and potential applications of these structures are influenced by the susceptibility to working environments. The ease of prediction of degradation of mechanical property becomes cumbersome due to the heterogeneity of constituent materials and non-standardized weathering conditions. This review article presents a study of long-term performance behavior of composite structures exposed to moisture, temperature, ultraviolet radiation and alkaline solution. Reduction in modulus due to increasing temperature, swelling of polymers due to moisture absorption and scission or alteration of polymer structures are either due to the attack of chemical mediums or ultraviolet rays observed in polymer composites during their service life.

This study related to the development of bio-degradable composites using areca nut frond fibers for use in low strength applications. The fronds are immersed in water for 72hours to extract the fibers. The extracted fibers were treated with alkaline solution. The fibers are dried in ambient conditions for 24hours. A biodegradable resin matrix was prepared using corn starch, water, plasticizers and impregnated with the treated short fibers in random orientation, poured into a mould and compacted for 10minutes. The composites were extracted and allowed to dry for 48hours. The tensile strength of the composite obtained was 45.29N