Mechanical, Thermal and Morphological Properties of Pineapple and Betel Nut Husk Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Polypropylene Composites

Abstract

Hybrid composites have extensive engineering application where strength to weight ratio, low cost and ease of fabrication are required. In recent times hybrid composites have been established as highly efficient, high performance structural materials. Structures made of composites have a long life and need little maintenance. Present research presents a review of the current status of hybrid composite materials technology in terms of mechanical, thermal and morphological properties. Hybrid composites were manufactured with pineapple and betel nut husk as hybrid fibers and polypropylene as matrix using a hot press machine. Fiber loading was varied at 5, 10 and 15 wt%, while pineapple and betel nut husk fiber ratio was set at 1:1. For mechanical characterization, tensile, flexural and hardness tests were conducted with the composites. Thermal properties were measured using thermo gravimetric analysis. To observe surface morphology of the samples, scanning electron microscope was used. Tensile test of the composites showed a decreasing trend of tensile strength with increasing fiber content. Tensile modulus initially increased with fibers loading, then decreased at 10% fiber content. Flexural strength and flexural modulus were found higher for 10% fiber loaded composite as compared composites containing 5% and 15% fiber. From the TGA analysis, it is observed that 10% fiber loaded composites had highest thermal stability among all manufactured composites. According to scanning electron microscopy, 10% fiber loaded composite showed more adhesion as compared to 5% and 15% fiber loaded composites. Fiber agglomeration was also observed in 15% fiber loaded composite.