Evaluation of Mechanical and Micro Structural Properties of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

Abstract

Now- a- days the polymers are frequently used in domestic and industrial purposes. The properties of polymer composites are somewhat inferior and may be improved with the addition of filler and fiber materials. Jute is one of most economical natural fibres and is obtained primarily from plant materials such as cellulose and Lignin. Sisal is a vegetable, natural, fully biodegradable fibre and which has good specific strength and stiffness and is used for making ropes and twines. The banana fibre is the strongest natural fibres and is made from the stem of the banana tree which. exhibits good tensile strength and incredibly durable and bio-degradable. An attempt is made to improve the properties of polymer composites using jute, sisal and banana fibers and addition of 2 % titanium di boride as filler material. The polymer composites were made by hand layup method with epoxy as matrix material. The mechanical properties of fabricated composites such as tensile and impact strength, hardness were evaluated as per ASTM standards. It is found that tensile strength, hardness and impact strength were improved with the addition of fibers and filler material. The micro structural evaluation is also carried out using scanning electron microscope and found that particles were dispersed in the matrix material.