<div>Fibers are of two type&rsquo;s natural fiber and synthetic fiber. Natural fibers include those made from plant and animal sources. The natural fiber composites can be very cost effective material and have turned out to be an alternative solution to the ever depleting petroleum sources and have reduced the nuisance of pollution. The production of complete natural fiber based materials as a substitute for petroleum-based products would not be an economical solution. A more viable solution would be to combine petroleum and bio-based resources to develop a cost-effective product with diverse applications. The application of natural fiber-reinforced composites has been extended to almost all fields such as building and construction industry, storage devices (post-boxes, grain storage silos, bio-gas containers etc.), furniture and electrical devices. Coconut shell is a lignocellulosic agro waste which is burnt or left to decay in environment. These can be a very interesting material as filler in biodegradable polymer composites, due to its good thermal stability compared to other agricultural waste. In context to this, review was carried out to assess the coconut shell powder reinforced epoxy composites and their mechanical, structural and thermal properties.</div>

​Coconut Shell Powder Reinforced Epoxy Composites: A Review

Background: Biodegradable plastics are made from starch extracted from renewable biomass. Approximately 50% of the biodegradable plastics used commercially are prepared from starch. The research was undertaken to develop biodegradable film from blend of LDPE and Cassava starch at different proportions and to study the Physical and Mechanical properties. 
 
Methods: Biodegradable film was prepared by Blown film extrusion method using LDPE, cassava starch adding glycerol, talc powder and urea (T0, T1, T2, T3 and T4) at different proportions. The effects of plasticizer (glycerol) and different proportions of cassava starch on the film properties were determined by the standard methods. 
 
Result: The developed biodegradable film had a tensile strength ranging from 6.68-8.42 MPa. The film thickness from 0.17 to 0.80 mm, transparency from 0.55 to 2.07%, water absorption from 0.007 to 0.067% and moisture permeability from 0.59 to 14.08%.

​Coconut Shell Powder Reinforced Epoxy Composites: A Review

​Effect of Cassava Starch on LDPE as Biodegradable Film and its Physical and Mechanical Properties

Coconut Shell Powder Reinforced Epoxy Composites: A Review

Effect of Cassava Starch on LDPE as Biodegradable Film and its Physical and Mechanical Properties