Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Composites Through the Incorporation of Ash Particles: An Experimental Investigation

Abstract

In the recent development in materials, composites find major applications in the domestic and Engineering sector. Considering its superior material properties and biodegradability, natural fibre epoxy resin composites has become significant in recent years as a potential industrial resources. In this research work composites with banana and coir fibres added with ash particles are studied for the Mechanical properties. The Mechanical property evaluation is done based on ASTM standards described by various testing labs approved by NABL. There are numerous Manufacturing methods available for composites like compression moulding, spray process, pultrusion, Hand layup. For this work easiest method is used i.e. hand layup process. The composites are manufactured for various combinations in terms of fibre length and volume fraction. To reduce the biodegradability and increase the life chemical treatment is carried out on fibre using alkali solution of 1% NaOH. The effect of ash particle percentage is studied using mechanical tests like tensile test, flexural test and impact test. The results shown significant improvement is mechanical properties.