Investigation of physico‐mechanical and thermo‐mechanical analysis of alumina filled needle‐punch nonwoven jute epoxy composites

Abstract

In the present study, needle‐punch nonwoven jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites are fabricated by compression molding techniques by varying alumina ceramic particulates (0–15 wt%) in the composites. The physical tests are studied such as void content, hardness, and water absorption analysis and mechanical tests are performed such as: tensile strength, impact strength, and fracture toughness, respectively. The results indicated that with the addition of 5 wt% of alumina particulate to the unfilled needle‐punch nonwoven jute epoxy composite is increased the hardness by 13.15%, tensile strength by 30%, flexural strength by 20%, and impact strength by 9.01%, respectively. Finally, thermo‐mechanical test such as dynamic mechanical analysis, thermo‐gravimetric analysis, and thermal conductivity analysis of the unfilled and particulate filled polymer composites are characterized. The thermal conductivity of the unfilled composite is decreased by 3.01% by the addition of 5 wt% of alumina particulate. Further, it is also observed that jute reinforced epoxy composites filled with 15 wt% alumina particulate presented highest storage modulus, loss modulus, and thermal stability as compared with 0 wt%, 5 wt%, and 10 wt% alumina particulate filled jute epoxy composite. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1553–1561, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers