Mechanical Characterization of Natural Fiber Reinforced Jute/Glass Hybrid Epoxy Composite with Ceramic Reinforcement

Abstract

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites have gained importance due to their biodegradability, ecological friendly nature and low cost because of developing worldwide energy crisis and environmental issues. Synthetic fibers based composites are often unable to decompose which harms the environment. Natural fibers are analogous to synthetic fibers due to their high specific properties and low density. There is a huge development in hybrid (natural + synthetic) fibers-based polymer composites because of their attractive features such as flexibility, biodegradability, abrasive resistance, availability, lightweight, and low cost. Jute fibers have an extraordinary potential to be applied as a reinforcing material in polymer composites. They are emerging and forming hybrid and green composites. The jute fiber’s inherent properties such as specific strength, stiffness, low elongation at break point, low density are tantamount to those of synthetic glass fibers. This study explored tensile and flexural behavior of different combinations of glass/jute hybrid composites with/without different percentages of ceramic reinforcement. Composites were manufactured using vacuum bagging technique. Composite laminates were laid up by land up and then vacuum system was applied. Curing of composite laminates was executed under vacuum. Experimental approach was utilized for characterization of the hybrid composites. Tensile Test and flexural test were performed according to ASTM standards D3029 and D7264.