Analysis of mechanical and water absorption properties of hybrid composites reinforced with micron-size bamboo fibers and ceramic particles

Abstract

Bamboo and its hybrid composites were made using the hand lay-up method to evaluate the change in mechanical and physical properties that occurred through filler addition. Density measurements and tensile test results showed an increment in values when a certain percentage of silicon carbide (SiC) was added. As the SiC percentage grows from 0 to 6%, the density of the hybrid composite increases from 1.15 to 1.36gm/cc whereas tensile strength increases from 37MPa to 42MPa when 4wt% SiC is added in 20wt% of the bamboo composite. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of tensile fractured samples further supported the improvement in tensile characteristics. To examine the impact and hardness characteristics, composites were subjected to the Charpy impact test and hardness test. 4wt% of SiC addition in 20wt% of the bamboo composite decreased the impact strength from 28.79 to 27.43 (×10-3kJ/m2) and increased the hardness from 44 to 55Hv. The composites' water absorption behavior demonstrated that the addition of filler lifts the composite's resistance to absorbing water, preserving the composites' dimensional firmness and mechanical qualities.