Effect of Moisture Absorption on the Mechanical Properties of Ceramic Filled Jute/Epoxy Hybrid Composites

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Abstract
The present work emphasizes on the mechanical properties such as micro-hardness, flexural and impact strength of jute fiber and Al2O3 filler based polymer composites at dry and wet conditions. Composite samples reinforced with different wt.% of fibers and filler were prepared by hand lay-up technique. To improve the mechanical properties, jute fiber was hybridized with Al2O3 filler. The maximum flexural strength of 72.94 MPa and impact strength of 1.902 J is obtained for composites with 30 wt.% fiber content and 10 wt.% of filler content. The hardness of composite increases with increase in fiber and filler loading i.e 40 wt.% fiber content and 10 wt.% of filler content. The maximum hardness value is obtained 29.9 Hv. The effect of water absorption on mechanical properties of jute reinforced hybrid polymer composites is also investigated. To determine the influence of water absorption on the mechanical properties, specimens were immersed in distilled water for 10 days before testing. For reference purpose, dry specimens were tested. It is observed that the rate of water absorption depends on the fiber content as well as filler content. All the mechanical properties of composites are decreased after water absorption. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to characterise the microstructure and failure mechanisms of dry and wet jute fiber reinforced polymer composites.

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