FABRICATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF CHITOSAN -PALM FIBER REINFORCED: CHITOSAN -PALM FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITES

Palm fiber, an abundant and eco-friendly lignocellulosic material, offers significant potential as a natural reinforcement in polymer matrix composites. In this study, palm fibre–reinforced polyester composites were fabricated using chitosan as a natural biofilter to enhance bonding and thermal stability. Three composite plates were prepared with varying filler concentrations (1%, 3%, and 5%) while keeping the fibre content constant at 60%. The specimens were produced using the hand lay-up technique and subjected to mechanical and thermal characterisation, including tensile, flexural, impact, hardness, thermal conductivity, water absorption, flammability, and machinability tests.The results indicate that moderate chitosan filler content (3%) enhances the fibre–matrix interfacialadhesion, thereby improving tensile and flexural strengths. Increased filler concentration beyond 5% slightly reduces mechanical performance due to filler agglomeration.