Physico-mechanical properties investigation of sponge-gourd and betel nut reinforced hybrid polyester composites

Abstract

ABSTRACT Researches have already been focused on renewable fibre as one of the reinforcements in composite materials during past few years. In this research, locally available inexpensive natural fibres termed ‘Luffa Cylindrica’ (sponge-gourd fibre) and ‘Areca Catechu’ (betel nut fibre) have been used as reinforcing materials to explore the property variation of reinforced hybrid polyester composites. The fibres (betel nut:sponge gourd = 1:1) are mixed within the polyester resin maintaining a uniform ratio. Four level of fibre loadings (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) are considered in this research. The characteristics of mechanical properties (i.e. tensile, flexural, impact and hardness), biodegradability (soil test and weathering test) as well as surface morphological analysis of fabricated composites are investigated. About 20 wt% fibre (BN:SG = 1:1) reinforced composite showed the maximum tensile, flexural and hardness values. From the soil burial test, with the increase of fibre loading, gradual increment of the weight loss percentage is observed whereas for weathering test it is opposite. The surface morphological analysis by field emission scanning electron microscope reveals the interfacial bonding characteristics between fibre and matrix. Moreover, the reinforcing materials used in this work are both natural fibres. Hence, this hybrid composite can be introduced as a ‘green composite’.