[Indraja, 3(11): November, 2014] ISSN: 2277-9655 Scientific Journal Impact Factor: 3.449 (ISRA), Impact Factor: 2.114 http: // www.ijesrt.com (C)International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Research Technology [22] IJESRT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES & RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY Study of Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Biodegradable Fibers before and After Alkali Treatment Y. Indraja*, G. Suresh Kumar, H. Raghavendra Rao *Department of Mechanical Engineering, G. Pulla Reddy.Engineering College( Autonomous ), KURNOOL-518007, Andhra Pradesh, India Associate Professors, G. Pulla Reddy.Engineering College( Autonomous ), KURNOOL-518007, Andhra Pradesh, India Abstracts Fiber reinforced composites offer varied advantages in various applications. Today fiber composites aeronautically used in such diverse applications as automobiles, aircraft, space vehicles, offshore structures, containers and piping, sporting goods, electronics, and appliances. In this work, Bamboo, Jute and Grass fibers reinforced with polyester composite specimen pieces are prepared separately. Their Tensile, Flexural properties are determined using Universal Testing Machine ( UTM ), Chemical resistances are studied and compared and Scanning Electron Microscope ( SEM ) analysis is carried out. It is observed that flexural strength of the reinforced composites increases with bamboo fiber content. Through SEM analysis, the interfacial bonding between bamboo, jute, grass fibers and the matrix- polyester, is studied. The chemical resistance of Bamboo, jute and grass fiber reinforced with polyester composites to acetic acid, Nitric acid, Hydrochloric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium carbonate, Benzene, Toluene, Carbon tetrachloride and Water is studied. These results have demonstrated a new approach to use natural materials to enhance the mechanical performances of composites. Keywords: Bamboo-jute-grass fiber composites, chemical resistance, polyester resin, flexural strength, tensile strength, SEM Analysis. Introduction Several studies on the composites are made from polyester matrix and natural fibers like jute, wood, banana, cotton, bamboo, coir and wheat straw are reported in the literature. In the present work, bamboo, jute and grass fiber reinforced high performance polyester composites are developed and their tensile, flexural properties with fiber content (with varying ratio of bamboo, jute, grass fibers) are carried out. Materials and methods Materials High performance polyester resin with curing agents accelerator and catalyst in 10:1 ratio are used as matrix. Bamboo fibers (dendrocalamus strictus) were procured from Tripura state of India in the dried form.The fibers with a thickness of 0.3 mm were selected in the mat form. The jute fibers have been procured from company (mat) is used in making the composite percentage. The grass fibers have been procured from local area. Preparation of mould:For making the composites, a moulding box was prepared with glass with 200mmx200mmx3mm mould (length x width x thickness) Preparation of the composite and the test specimens The mould cavity is coated with a thin layer of aqueous solution of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) which acts as a good releasing agent. Further a thin coating of hard wax laid over it and finally another thin layer of PVA is coated. Each coat is allowed to dry for 20 minutes at room temperature. Moulding box is loaded with matrix and reinforcement in random orientation (with varying percentage) and is placed in furnance which is maintained at 100 o c for 3 hours to complete the curing . After curing, the plate is removed from the moulding box with simple tapering and samples are cut for tensile and flexural test with dimensions 150mmx20mmx3mm and for chemical test with dimensions 10mmx5mmx5mm. For Scanning Electron Microscope analysis samples are cryogenically cooled and fractured specimen surfaces are coated with gold covering and the interfacial bonding between bamboo, jute, grass fibers and the matrix- polyester, is studied.