Mechanical and biodegradation Characteristics of natural fiber Reinforced hybrid composites

Abstract

Composite material is applicable in various industries like structural, marine, auto, aviation, electrical, electronics and medicine. These materials are used to replace conventional materials like metal fully or partially in the aforementioned fields. newlineIn this research work, an effort has been made to make the hybrid composites using the natural fibers extracted from the Veli karuvelam and Neem tree. Fibers were extracted by water retting process followed by mechanical shredding. Chemical treatment was done on the fibers using 5% NaOH solution to remove the dust particles, wax and other impurities. Fibers were characterized by the FTIR and TGA techniques. newlineComposite was fabricated by hand layup method using Veli karuvelam fiber, Neem fiber and epoxy matrix. Epoxy and fiber percentages were maintained as 50:50. Totally, five types of composites were manufactured namely N:V (0:1), N:V (1:3), N:V (1:1), N:V (3:1) and N:V (1:0) by varying the volume fractions of Veli karuvelam and Neem fibers. Density and void percentages of the fabricated composites were determined. Experimental investigations were done on the prepared composites by conducting mechanical tests like tensile, flexural and impact. Further, the water uptake behaviour and the morphological analysis of the composites were done. newlineThermogravimetric analysis showed that the Neem and Velikaruvelam fibers were decomposed in three stages newline