Development of Calotropis procera-Glass Fibers Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites: Dynamic Mechanical Properties

Effect of hybridization on dynamic mechanical properties of calotropis procera/glass fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites was investigated. The hand layup method was used to fabricate composites by varying fiber reinforcement of calotropis procera and glass fiber composition at 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%. Dynamic mechanical analysis of composites was carried out in the temperature range of 25 degrees C-180 degrees C at the frequency of 1 Hz. Study revealed a marginal shift in glass transition temperature for fiber reinforced composites compared to neat epoxy which indicates the higher temperature resistance of the fiber reinforced composites. The higher interfacial bonding was revealed by the damping ratio analysis with the increase in glass fiber reinforcement in the hybrid composites. The hybrid composites exhibited increase in storage and loss modulus with increase in glass fiber content. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out to study the fracture surface morphology of the composite specimens.