Dynamic mechanical analysis of Silk and Glass (S/G/S)/Pineapple and Glass (P/G/P)/Flax and Glass (F/G/F) reinforced Lannea coromandelica blender hybrid nano composites

Abstract

Hybrid composites are formed by the combination of natural fibers (pineapple, silk, flax etc.) and synthetic fibers (glass) reinforced polymer or hybrid or natural resin matrix composites which have specific mechanical properties due to contents of renewability, recyclability, and biodegradability compared to synthetic fibers. Lannea coromandelica (LC, Anacardiaceae plant gum) is blended with Epoxy (synthetic polymer matrix resin) to form hybrid Lannea Coromandelica Blender Epoxy matrix (LCE) resin composites for the replacement of epoxy resin to improve the biodegradability and environmental friendly nature. NaOH treated and untreated hybrid Composites (Pineapple (PGP)/Silk (SGS)/Flax (FGF) fiber mats with 2%, 4%, 6% volume fraction of Bentonite nanoclay (BNC) nano filler loading in each composition reinforcement in hybrid LCE resin) and hybrid LCE resin are prepared by Compression hand molding technique method. The maximum mechanical properties are observed for treated P/G/P fiber mats with 2%, 4%, 6% volume fraction BNC filler reinforced LCE resin matrix. Mechanical properties such as tensile properties, flexural properties and impact strength of hybrid composites have improved three to four times compared to hybrid LCE resin. Results of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) show that untreated and treated hybrid composites have the highest storage modulus (stiffness and adsorption energy) and the lowest damping factor (Tan δ) when compared to hybrid LCE resin. Biodegradability testing has revealed that adding 4 percent volume fraction of nano filler to treated P/G/P fiber mats reinforced LCE resin composite resulting in minimal weight loss over a long period of time.