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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research

Water Absorption and Mechanical Behaviour of Bagasse Fibre and Particle-Reinforced Hybrid Composite Materials

  1. A. Rajendra Prasad Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sai Ram Engineering College, Chennai
  2. Ashwin Sailesh Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sairam Institute of Technology, Chennai
  3. Prabu Selvam School of Computing, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tiruchirappalli
  4. Supriya Menon M Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation,Vaddeswaram
  5. U. Rajesh Kumar Department of Physics, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Avadi
  6. P. Nantha Kumar Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sairam Institute of Technology, Chennai
  7. Jayarama Pradeep Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Chennai
  8. G. Nixon Samuel Vijayakumar Department of Physics, R.M.K.Engineering College, Kavaraipettai, Chennai
  9. Jennifer D Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanical behaviour and water absorption characteristics of bagasse fibre and groundnut shell particle (GSP)-reinforced hybrid composites using a phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin matrix. Varying weight fractions of GSP (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) were incorporated into the composites, with bagasse fibre content kept constant at 30% by weight. Tensile, flexural, and impact strengths were measured, and the water absorption behaviour was evaluated following ASTM standards.The results indicated a decrease in tensile strength as GSP content increased, with the highest value of 45 MPa observed at 5% GSP, and the lowest value of 32 MPa at 20% GSP. In contrast, flexural strength improved with increasing GSP content, reaching 70 MPa at 20% GSP compared to 55 MPa at 5% GSP. Similarly, the impact strength increased from 8 J/m at 5% GSP to 12 J/m at 20% GSP, attributed to the crack-arresting ability of GSP.Water absorption tests revealed that composites with higher GSP content absorbed more water, with the 20% GSP composite showing a water absorption rate of 6.8% compared to 2.5% for the 5% GSP composite after 72 hours. Moisture exposure led to significant reductions in mechanical properties, particularly in tensile and flexural strengths, where reductions of up to 20% and 20%, respectively, were observed at 20% GSP. Impact strength, however, showed a lesser reduction of around 10%.The study concluded that a 10% GSP content provided an optimal balance of mechanical performance and water resistance, making it suitable for applications such as automotive components and construction materials.

Keywords

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