STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research Special issue

Basalt Fiber, Palm Fiber, and Seashell Powder Reinforced Hybrid Epoxy Composites: A Mechanical Characterization

  1. Pavan Kumar Rejeti Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Tekkali
  2. Turali Narayana Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Tekkali
  3. Raghuveer Dontikurti Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Tekkali
  4. Pilla Devi Prasad Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Tekkali
  5. Laxmanaraju Salavaravu Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sivani College of Engineering, Chilakapalem
  6. Talabaktula S. Viswanadham Department of Mathematics, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Tekkali
  7. A. Rajesh Kannan Department of Mechanical Engineering, BK21 FOUR ERICA-ACE Center, Hanyang University

Abstract

This study investigates epoxy-based composites reinforced with basalt fiber, palm fiber, and seashell powder fabricated via hand lay-up. Mechanical characterization included tensile, flexural, hardness, and impact testing, supported by ANOVA and TOPSIS analyses. The Basalt-Epoxy composite has the highest mechanical strength among the systems under investigation, with a tensile strength of 275 N/mm² and a yield stress of around 215 N/mm². Compared to Palm-Epoxy composite, which has the lowest mechanical properties—roughly 135 N/mm² for tensile strength and 95 N/mm² for yield strength—this maximum tensile strength makes the composite the best load-bearing composite, indicating its restricted application as a reinforcement. Due to the filler's dispersion in the matrix, the hybrid composites containing 10 g of seashell powder filler demonstrated improved ductility (~10% elongation) and moderate tensile strength (~165 N/mm²), guaranteeing enhanced energy absorption and crack-arresting properties. The Basalt + Palm + Epoxy combination had the highest hardness value of 46.5 HB, while the Palm-epoxy system had the lowest hardness value of 31.5 HB. Flexural test results show that Basalt-Epoxy composites exhibit greater stiffness and reduced deformation during bending, with a maximum flexural strength of around 1850 N/mm². Although seashell-based reinforcement systems have a lower flexural strength, they have a superior deformation capacity up to a displacement of around 3.0 mm, indicating more flexibility. The tradeoffs between toughness and stiffness were highlighted by impact testing, which showed that the highest energy absorbed by Basalt-Epoxy and Basalt + Palm + Epoxy composites was around 9.5 J, whereas seashell-based designs absorbed about 7.5 J. On the other hand, according to ANOVA findings, the effects of reinforcement type and percentage on all mechanical responses were significant at p > 0.05. Basalt-Epoxy was ranked as the best arrangement, followed by Basalt + Palm + Epoxy, according to the TOPSIS analysis, which also supported the experimental data. For such lightweight applications in structural and automotive parts that require both mechanical strength and eco-efficiency, it is clear that basalt fiber-based and hybrid composites offer an outstanding balance between strength, toughness, and environmental sustainability.

Keywords

References (20)

  1. Dinkar VC, Kumar V. A review study on the mechanical behaviour of natural fibre-reinforced epoxy composite. Polymer Bulletin. 2025;82(15):9647-9682. doi:10.1007/s00289-025-05902-4
  2. Sharma, D., Singh, A. K. An Overview of Natural Fibers and Fillers Reinforced Polymer Composite Materials. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(04):78-92
  3. Mahmud, M.Z., Rabbi, S.F., Islam, M.D., & Hossain, N. Synthesis and applications of natural fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites: A comprehensive review. SPE Polymers. 2024;6(1): 1–19, doi:1002/pls2.10161
  4. Singha, K. A short review on basalt fiber. International Journal of Textile Science. 2012; 1(4), 19– https://doi.org/10.5923/j.textile.20120104.02.
  5. Vijaya Ramnath B, Elanchezhian C, Aravind J, Sushil L, Arun Kumar A. Studies on Mechanical Behaviour of Basalt Fiber Composite. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 2018;377:012119. doi:10.1088/1757-899x/377/1/012119
  6. Wu G, Wang X, Wu Z, Dong Z, Zhang G. Durability of basalt fibers and composites in corrosive environments. Journal of Composite Materials. 2014;49(7):873-887. doi:10.1177/0021998314526628
  7. Czigány, T., Vad, J., & Pölöskei, K. Basalt fiber as a reinforcement of polymer composites. Periodica Polytechnica Mechanical Engineering. 2005; 49(1), 3–14
  8. Faculty-Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sai Ram Engineering College, Chennai, India., Prabu* D, Giriprasath A, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College, Puducherry, India., Prasanna V, UG Student- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sai Ram Engineering College, Chennai, India., et al. Mechanical Behaviour of Palm Fiber (Palmyra Spout) – Basalt Fiber - Hybrid Composites. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering. 2019;9(1):1064-1070. doi:10.35940/ijitee.a4231.119119
  9. Yan L, Chu F, Tuo W, Zhao X, Wang Y, Zhang P, et al. Review of research on basalt fibers and basalt fiber-reinforced composites in China (I): Physicochemical and mechanical properties. Polymers and Polymer Composites. 2020;29(9):1612-1624. doi:10.1177/0967391120977396
  10. Wang Z, Cao N, He J, Du R, Liu Y, Zhao G. Mechanical and anticorrosion properties of furan/epoxy‐based basalt fiber‐reinforced composites. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 2017;134(19). doi:10.1002/app.44799
  11. Zuhri MYM, Sapuan SM, Ismail N. Oil Palm Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites: A Review. Progress in Rubber, Plastics and Recycling Technology. 2009;25(4):233-246. doi:10.1177/147776060902500403
  12. Bakar MAA, Natarajan VD, Kalam A, Kudiran NH. Mechanical Properties of Oil Palm Fibre Reinforced Epoxy for Building Short Span Bridge. Experimental Analysis of Nano and Engineering Materials and Structures. 2007:97-98. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-6239-1_47
  13. Alsagayar ZS, Rahmat AR, Arsad A, Fakhari A, binti Wan Tajulruddin WN. Mechanical Properties of Epoxidized Palm Oil/Epoxy Resin Blend. Applied Mechanics and Materials. 2014;695:655-658. doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.695.655" rel="nofollow">doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.695.655
  14. Hussein SM. Incorporation of Palm Fiber to Enhance the Mechanical Properties of Epoxy. Iraqi Journal of Science. 2020:1960-1970. doi:10.24996/ijs.2020.61.8.13
  15. Fombuena V, Bernardi L, Fenollar O, Boronat T, Balart R. Characterization of green composites from biobased epoxy matrices and bio-fillers derived from seashell wastes. Materials & Design. 2014;57:168-174. doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2013.12.032
  16. Ahad, N. A., Kwan, S. L., & Halim, K. The effect of seashells as filler in epoxy composites. Science Letters (ScL). 2023; 17(2.10), 119– https://doi.org/10.24191/sl.v17i2.22094
  17. Hiremath A, Nayak SY, Heckadka SS, Pramod JJ. Mechanical behavior of basalt-reinforced epoxy composites modified with biomass-derived seashell powder. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. 2023;14(20):26281-26291. doi:10.1007/s13399-023-04571-5
  18. Kumar, S. M. K. S, Balachandran, S., Kim, S. C., Rathinam. B, and Ramkumar. V. Hybrid Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Coconut Sheath and Basalt Fibres: Enhancing Mechanical and Thermal Performance for sustainable Applications.
  19. Dhas, E. R. J., Lewise, K. S. K., Kumar, K. N., Raja, V., Hussein., AL-bonsrulah, A. J., Ahmad, H., Yao, W. N., Al-Bahrani. M. Effect of coconut shell nano powder reinforcement in the development of palm fiber composites. Frontiers. 2022; 9: 986011.
  20. Seid AM, Adimass SA. Review on the impact behavior of natural fiber epoxy based composites. Heliyon. 2024;10(20):e39116. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39116
Support