Effect of calcium carbonate nanoparticles on mechanical properties of coir-kenaf based epoxy hybrid composites: An analytical and simulation study

Abstract

The manufacturing sector is presently in search of sustainable materials that are lighter in weight, readily available, biodegradable, and cost-friendly. Natural fibers are observed to bring unblemished advancement in composite materials. In this research, a novel hybrid composite material has been analyzed. The composite comprises two different natural fibers, kenaf and coir fiber, reinforced in epoxy matrix with nanofillers of calcium carbonate particles. The weight percent of kenaf and coir fibers is maintained at 5.7% and 10%, whereas nanofillers is varied as 0%, 2%, and 4%, respectively, in all three samples. The elastic characteristics like the Longitudinal Modulus, and Transverse Modulus, are evaluated for the proposed composite utilizing five different analytical models, and are also interpreted using Representative Volume Element (RVE) analysis. The analytical results of the proposed composite are correlated with the experimental work in the earlier research. The influence of nanofiller is investigated and it has been observed that the composite with a higher filler content of 4 percent attains enhanced strength than a sample with a lower filler content of 0 and 2 wt. percent. The transverse modulus is noticed to uplift by 16.88%, and the longitudinal modulus by 11.14% on the mixing of CaCO3 particles in coir kenaf composite. Also, the composite is analyzed for hybridization effect, which proves to be one of the most promising ways to improve the features of the hybrid composite.