Mechanical and Morphological characterization of Walnut Shell reinforced epoxy composite

Abstract

The present study emphasizes on the development of composite material by reinforcing Walnut Shells (WNS) in Epoxy matrix. Composite material was developed using stir casting process at different weight percentages of Walnut Shell from 0-20. Result from tensile test reveal an improvement of tensile and compression modulus by 20 and 52 % respectively as compared to neat epoxy. However there was a decrease in the tensile and compressive strength. SEM micrograph illustrates that lower filler content result in uniform particle distribution and lesser void formation in the composite which increases with increasing WNS content. However, 1.84 % of water absorption was observed at 5% content which confirm strong encapsulation of filler material by the resin at lower filler wt. content.