Comparative Analysis of Bamboo using Jute and Coir Fiber Reinforced Polymeric Composites

Abstract

Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymeric Composites serve as an important alternative to manmade fiber reinforced polymeric composites because they are abundantly available, economical, recyclable and biodegradable possessing a high mechanical strength and are quickly springing up in terms of research and industrial applications. Lingo cellulosic plant fibers like bamboo, jute, coir, banana, etc., are mainly used as reinforcement for natural fiber reinforced polymeric composites. Nowadays, these are used in various applications like transportation, defense, civil engineering applications, packaging, consumer products, etc. Natural fibers have many significant advantages over synthetic fibers. The paper deals with the study of bamboo fiber, jute fiber and coir fiber cut into 2-4mm of length with epoxy resin having random orientations. Various tests like Impact test (IZOD test and CHARPY test), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) test and Rockwell Hardness test were conducted on bamboo epoxy resin composite, bamboo-jute epoxy resin composite and bamboo-coir epoxy resin composite. It is analyzed and proved that bamboo-coir epoxy resin composite shows better results in Impact test, FTIR test and Rockwell Hardness test when compared to the other two composites i.e. bamboo epoxy resin composite and bamboo-jute epoxy resin composite. In future, we are going to carry out tests with various compositions and various sizes of fibers of bamboo-coir epoxy resin composite.