Processing and physico-mechanical characterization of sponge iron slag filled ramie fiber reinforced epoxy-based composites

The present research focuses on developing a new class of hybrid composites with woven ramie fiber mats reinforced in epoxy resin filled with different proportions of sponge iron (SI) slag. These multi-layered composites are fabricated using conventional hand layup method. The cured composite samples are subjected to various physical, mechanical and micro-structural characterization tests. Properties such as composite density, void content, tensile strength, flexural strength, impact and inter-laminar shear strength, micro-hardness, and so forth, are evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions. The compositional/micro-structural features are identified with the help of scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), stereomicroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and so forth. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the shape, size and distribution pattern of the filler particles in the composites. The FTIR study is done to identify the functional groups present in the filler, fiber and in the resulting composite to get an insight to the chemistry of composite formation. Similarly, X-Ray diffraction curve reveals the presence of hard phases such as silica, magnesioferrite, graphite, hematite, and so forth. This work suggests that successful fabrication of natural fiber composites is possible with additional reinforcement of an industrial waste like sponge iron slag and that most of the mechanical properties improve with increase in the content of SI slag in the composite.