A Study on Different Compositions of Epoxy Resin Reinforced with Natural Fibers and Glass Fiber

Abstract

Today the usage of natural fibers as reinforcement in polymer composite material has increased significantly. The natural fibers prove to have wide area of research since it has low density, light weight and better mechanical properties. They are also ecofriendly to certain extend and also available abundantly. In this study testing was done on taking three different combination of composites, the first combination is the epoxy resin reinforced with bamboo fiber, linen fiber, palm fiber and glass fiber. The second combination is the epoxy resin reinforced with Bamboo Fiber, Linen fiber and Glass fiber. In the third combination the matrix is reinforced with Palm Fiber, bamboo fiber and Glass Fiber. The above three combinations are also varied with the weight ratios of the matrix to fiber. All the samples were fabricated using Hand-Layup Technique and the properties were analyzed. The Impact Strength, Tensile Strength, the Flexural strength, hardness and absorbent test of the composites were performed. The properties of all the specimens were tabulated and compared with the cost analysis of each combinations are performed. INTRODUCTION Composite material is a macroscopic combination of two or more distinct materials, having a recognizable interface between them. Composites are used not only for their structural properties, but also for electrical, thermal, and environmental applications. Modern composite materials are usually optimized to achieve a particular balance of properties for a given range of applications. Given the vast range of materials that may be considered as composites and the broad range of uses for which composite materials may be designed, it is difficult to agree upon a single, simple, and useful definition. However, as a common practical definition, composite materials may be restricted to emphasize those materials that contain a continuous matrix constituent that binds together and provides form to an array of a stronger, stiffer reinforcement constituent.