Mechanical strength analysis of bio composite made by using micro powder made of Prosopis cineraria wood

Abstract

The Present study examines the mechanical strength of bio-composites fabricated from wood powder of Prosopis cineraria (Khejri) and jute fiber as reinforcement inside an epoxy resin matrix. The mechanical performance of these bio-composites was assessed by altering filler content percentages (0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, 16%, and 20%) and filler particle sizes (250 microns and 500 microns) under standard and carbonate conditions. Tensile strength and impact energy assessments were performed to evaluate the effects of filler content, particle size, and filler type on the mechanical characteristics of the composites. The tensile strength tests reveal that composites with 12% filler and a particle size of 250 microns had the maximum tensile strength, measuring 33.4 MPa under normal settings and 34.8 MPa under carbonate conditions. An increase in filler content over 12% resulted in a reduction in mechanical strength due to filler agglomeration, which decreased stress transfer efficiency. The composites with 250-micron particles consistently demonstrated superior tensile and impact strengths compared to those with 500-micron particles, due to the increased surface area of the smaller particles. Comparative analysis of normal and carbonate conditions demonstrated that carbonate fillers offered superior reinforcement owing to their increased density and enhanced matrix-filler interaction, leading to augmented tensile and impact strength. These findings provide significant insights into the development of bio-composites for structural applications, namely in improving their mechanical strength and durability.