Experimental Investigations of Hybrid Fibers and Fillers Based Polymeric Composites for Engineering Applications

Abstract

This research paper outlines the development and evaluation of hybrid bio composite materials based on a combination of orange peel/rose fibers and epoxy resin as the matrix with tamarind seed or betel nut powders as bio-fillers. The hybrid bio composites were evaluated for density and void content, mechanical behaviour (tensile, flexural and impact properties) and surface roughness. SEM images of fractured samples obtained after tensile and flexural testing were used to examine the fractured surfaces and identify typical failure modes associated with fiber failure/matrix cracking/debonding/voids. The results indicated that a favourable balance of high strength/high modulus/high impact resistance combined with low porosity can be achieved with hybrids based on orange fibers and particularly those containing betel nut bio-filler. In contrast, the mechanically poorest performing material exhibited the highest porosity. Epoxy/Orange/Tamarind composite comes out to be best performing sample in terms of mechanical properties while Epoxy/Tamarind/Betel Nut composite was the weakest one with its brittle nature. Therefore, it appears that the addition of bio-fillers to the orange/rose based fiber system with epoxy resin enhances the mechanical properties compared to the neat fiber-based composites.