Structural analysis and mechanical Properties of lignite fly ash hollow Glass microsphere acacia nilotica Incorporated jute epoxy polymer Composite

Abstract

This investigation aims at studying the role of Filler Materials (FMs) namely Lignite Fly Ash (LFA), Hollow Glass Microspheres (HGM), Acacia Nilotica (AN) in combination with jute fiber and epoxy resin to determine the structural, physical, and degradation properties of the Polymer Matrix Composite (PMC). Three series of PMCs (90 and#8722; x)EP and#8722; 10J and#8722; xFM (where x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 vol.% for LFA, HGM; x = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 vol.%) for AN were prepared through hand layup technique and optimized. The addition of LFA content up to 2.5 vol.% (EPJF2.5) yielded a higher compressive, impact energy, and Barcol hardness, which were 73.69 MPa, 5.23 J, and 53 in the PMC. The dynamic mechanical analysis showed a higher storage modulus at 10 Hz and a higher Tg value at 116.20 °C. Higher damping factor values were obtained at 115.47 °C. The sample with 2.5 vol.% HGM (EPJH2.5) showed a higher tensile strength and flexural strength with values of 25.42 and 98.98 MPa, respectively. The lesser biodegradation nature was recorded for the sample EPJH2.5 with a weight loss of 4.05% during 210 days soil burial test. A uniform distribution of the HGM and no voids were observed in the SEM images for the sample. Higher loss modulus values were obtained at 98.88 °C. The sample with 30 vol.% AN (EPJA30) showed excellent wear resistance and frictional force with values of 18.51 and#956;m, and 22.25 N, respectively. In addition, a uniform distribution of the AN and no voids along newline newline newline