Natural fibres and biodegradable matrices are being considered nowadays as substitutes to synthetic fibre reinforced polymer composites mainly in sectors where high load carrying capacity and high strength are not prerequisites. Present study utilizes biodegradable matrix composite prepared by varying the weight of the base material (95–170？g), binder (5–10？g), and plasticizer (5–20？g) with treated areca frond fibres as reinforcement. Contents are transferred to a pneumatic press, compacted, and subjected to curing. Taguchi method with L8 orthogonal array was used to reduce the number of experiments. Specimens for the flexural tests are cut out from the prepared laminates and tests are performed using UTM. Maximum flexural strength of 16.97？MPa was obtained with a combination of base (170？g), binder (10？g), and plasticizer (5？g). Analysis of the results indicated that plasticizer has the maximum effect on flexural strength of the biodegradable composites. 1. Introduction 1.1. Composites Composites are novel engineering materials made from two or more constituents that remain separate and distinct on a macroscopic level while forming a single component. There are two categories of constituent materials: matrix and reinforcement. At least one portion of each type is required. The matrix material surrounds and supports the reinforcement by maintaining their relative positions. The reinforcement imparts special physical (mechanical and electrical) properties to enhance the matrix properties [1]. A synergism produces material properties unavailable from naturally occurring materials. Composites provide the designer, fabricator, equipment manufacturer, and consumer with sufficient flexibility to meet the demands presented by different environments and special requirements. Thus composites, due to their heterogeneous composition, provide unique flexibility in design along with other attributes like superior directional properties, high specific strength, and stiffness properties. Manufacturing of composites with complex shapes especially moulding with polymer composites, reparability, corrosion resistance, durability, adaptability, and cost effectiveness has attracted their use in several engineering and other applications [2]. 1.2. Biodegradable Composites Environmental concerns and stricter government regulations on recycling materials pressed scientists to develop new materials mainly from renewable resources. Using natural fibres in biodegradable matrices can give numerous advantages with regard to fibres traditionally used in composites. The attractive
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