Influence of Mechanical Attributes, Water Absorption, Heat Deflection Features and Characterization of Natural Fibers Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites for an Engineering Application

Natural fiber composites (NFC) are getting more attention and importance over synthetic fibers in terms of their various advantages and applications. Nonetheless, the applications are restricted because of their poor mechanical properties and high moisture absorption, contrasted with synthetic fiber composites. To overcome the previously mentioned issues and to extend the potential applications, an endeavor has been made in the current study to investigate and describe the hybrid natural fibers/epoxy matrix composites. In the present work hybrid composites combining four different natural fibers such as, jute fibers (JF), coir fibers (CF), banana (Nendran variety) fibers (BF) and palm (PF) (Asian palmyra) were fabricated through hand layup method at various weight percentages. The mechanical attributes, such as tensile, flexural, impact and hardness of hybrid fibers reinforced epoxy composites were determined. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis likewise showed the fiber holding, information about the structure of crystalline materials, chemical composition and measure the adhesion strength and mechanical attributes of fibers respectively.