Characterisation of mechanical and thermal properties of copper slag filled composite material with and without coconut fibre

Abstract

Natural fibre composites are receiving considerable attention as a substitute for many conventional materials, such as plastics, in industrial applications. Especially in countries like India, the rich supply of coconuts makes it a sustainable source of natural fibre to be used for composite manufacturing. Conventional material alone is not enough to meet the diverse requirements of design engineers. Copper slag, a by-product of copper production, contains materials like iron, alumina, etc. Dumping or disposal of such huge quantities of slag causes serious environmental problems. By appropriate usage of slag physical and mechanical properties of the materials can be enhanced. The objective of the present work is broadly classified into two. Firstly, use copper slag as particulate filler material for the epoxy matrix composites and to study the effect on the thermal and mechanical properties of reinforced composite material. Secondly, to prepare coconut fibre reinforced with epoxy resin with copper slag as filler material and to analyse the changes observed in the properties of the composite material. Lastly, the properties are compared with that of gypsum wallboard and aluminium composite panel to check the compatibility of the developed natural fibre composite as a possible replacement for sealing purposes.