Study on Influence of Curing Temperature on Tensile Properties of Jute and Hemp Reinforced Hybrid Polymer Composites

Abstract

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites seem to be the best alternative material for the expensive and non-renewable synthetic fiber reinforced polymer composite materials. The strength of any composite material is greatly affected by interfacial bonding between matrix and fibers, pre and post curing operations performed. The present work is aimed at investigating the influence of curing temperature on tensile behaviour of Jute and Hemp fibers reinforced epoxy composite. The laminates are cured in a hot air oven for temperatures varying from 300C to 700C for the time duration of 8hrs. The maximum tensile strength of 112.89MPa is obtained for a specimen cured at 600C. As curing temperature increases the rate of polymerization also increases and bubbles that are trapped inside the composite get burst, thus reducing the voids formed during manufacturing. At a curing temperature of 700C, the tensile strength value reduced to 106.31MPa. At very high temperatures polymers emit some volatile reactants, which may get trapped below the surface leading to reduced strength of composite materials. The present work highlights that the curing temperature greatly influences the tensile behaviour of natural fiber reinforced polymer composite material.