An Investigation on Enhancement of Material Properties of Polymer Matrix Composites

Abstract

The study investigates the increasing popularity of bio-fiber reinforced composites for their environmental advantages, superior strength, and light weight. It highlights jute (J), brown flax (Fb), and white flax (Fw) fibers, examining their physical and mechanical properties as monofilaments, yarn, and woven fabrics, both before and after a 5% NaOH treatment. Fb single fibers showed the highest tensile strength (2462 MPa), followed by J fibers (1086 MPa) and Fw fibers (368 MPa). However, Fw fibers had the highest elongation (5.53%). Yarn tensile strength decreased, and tensile strain increased compared to single fibers. Fb yarn exhibited the highest tensile strength (251.95 MPa), followed by J fiber (103.97 MPa) and Fw fiber (47.2 MPa). Tensile strain was highest for Fw yarn (5.76%), followed by Fb yarn (4.86%) and J yarn (3.75%). Interwoven fabric strength was highest for Fb (6.8 MPa), followed by J (5.58 MPa), while Fw demonstrated the highest strain (18.01%). Fw+Fb intra-woven fabric displayed the highest strength (26.27 MPa) and strain (28.34%) compared to J+Fb and J+Fw fabrics. The hybrid composites, fabricated using the hand layup process with six layers of high strength and high strain fabrics, 2 wt.% of short coir fiber (SCF) filler, and nano industrial waste (IW) fillers, were thoroughly analyzed for their physical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The composites mixed with IW filler showed better dimensional stability and mechanical properties, including a maximum tensile strength of 36.74 MPa, bending strength of 82.53 MPa, and hardness of 84.89 D, compared to other composites. The SCF-filled composites exhibited the highest impact strength (159.43 J/mm²), elongation, better thermal stability, and thermal resistance. The study also assessed the drilled hole quality of the best composites with and without filler using spindle speed, feed rate, and three distinct tungsten carbide-coated tools. The experimental runs were designed using Taguchi s L9 orthogonal array. Delamination, surface roughness,