Abstract
This paper deals with the effect of heat-treatment on mechanical properties of both natural fibers and natural fiber reinforced plastics First, bamboo and Manila hemp fibers were heat-treated in air and Ar, and we investigated the effect of oxygen during heat-treatment on the tensile strength of these natural fibers. As a result, in the case of heat-treatment in Ar, the tensile strength of bamboo and Manila hemp fibers was able to resist higher temperature than that in air. Next, mechanical properties of heat-treated natural fiber reinforced plastics were examined. The results showed that although these natural fibers embedded in the resin, the tensile strength of natural fiber reinforced plastics decreased at the same temperature as heat-treated natural fibers in air. This dependence is derived from the remained oxygen in lumens.
