Abstract
The application of synthetic fibres in polymer composites is deteriorating because they are costly and detrimental to climate. The abundant availability of natural fibres and manufacturing ease have prompted researchers to try locally accessible natural fibres and to study their viability of reinforcement purposes and to examine their suitability as a reinforcement alternative for polymer composite. The economics and the high specific mechanical properties validate natural fibre to be a good renewable and biodegradable alternative to the synthetic reinforcement, i.e. glass fibre. Incorporation of natural fibres into the polymer is currently a standard innovation to enhance the mechanical properties of polymer. One of the biggest areas of recent development in natural fibre plastic composites worldwide is the automobile industry, where natural fibres are profitably utilized because of their low density and ever expanding climatic concerns. In this research work, the composites were synthesized using wheat husk particles as filler and polystyrene as the matrix material. Mechanical properties are studied for different filler sizes, i.e. 250–355, 355–500 and 500–710 µm and at different filler loadings, i.e. 5, 10 and 15%. Tensile strength, flexural strength, hardness and wear properties were investigated, and it was concluded that the best mechanical properties are obtained at 15% filler loading and smallest filler size studied, i.e. 250–355 µm except in case of wear rate of the composites.
Published Version
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