DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A SUSTAINABLE HYBRID EPOXY COMPOSITE REINFORCED WITH TREATED NATURAL FABRICS AND AGRO-WASTE NANOPARTICLES FOR STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

This study presents the fabrication and a preliminary evaluation of a hybrid epoxy composite reinforced with glass fibers, alkaline-treated natural fabrics – Gossypium herbaceum (cotton) and Corchorus olitorius (jute), and bio-derived particulate fillers from Cocos nucifera and eggshell waste. The composite was manufactured using a hand lay-up technique followed by compression molding, with a defined configuration of five layers: two outer layers of woven E-glass and three inner layers alternating between jute and cotton fabrics. All the reinforcements were treated with 5% NaOH to enhance the interfacial adhesion. A fixed filler loading of 5 w/% each of Cocos nucifera and eggshell powder was introduced into the epoxy matrix, with the nanoparticle size confirmed via direct characterization. Mechanical testing at room temperature yielded average tensile and flexural strengths of 90 MPa and 430 MPa, respectively, while the Charpy impact energy absorption averaged 24 J. The heat deflection temperature reached 145 °C under a 1.82 MPa load. SEM-EDS analysis revealed relatively uniform filler dispersion and adequate fiber-matrix bonding. The novelty of this work lies in integrating two natural fabrics with distinct structural characteristics and the dual incorporation of bio-based particulate fillers, offering a sustainable reinforcement approach utilizing agro-waste. These findings provide a foundation for future studies aimed at optimizing stacking sequence, filler concentration, and chemical treatments to tailor hybrid composites for advanced structural applications.