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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research Special issue

Mechanical Performance Evaluation of Brachyuran Shell Particle-Infused S-Glass Fibre Epoxy Polymer Composites

  1. Duppala Azad Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Tekkali, Srikakulum
  2. Venkata Ramana Menda Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Tekkali, Srikakulum
  3. Srihari Palli Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Tekkali, Srikakulum
  4. Dharmana Lokanadham Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Tekkali, Srikakulum
  5. Sivasankara Raju Rallabandi Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Tekkali, Srikakulum

Abstract

Epoxy composites bio-filled with brachyuran crab shell powder and reinforced with S-glass fibres at different loadings (2%, 4%, and 6%) are tested for their mechanical properties in this work. Using modest amounts of filler significantly improved hardness, ultimate tensile strength, and flexural strength in the empirical data. The largest increase in hardness was 64.42% at 4% filler, up from 26.22% at 2%; however, there was a dramatic decrease to 13.11% at 6% filler. For 4% filler content, the ultimate tensile strength also peaked at 25.40%, following an 18.76% increase at 2% and a subsequent decline to 20.05% at 6%. This pattern was also observed in flexural strength, which peaked at 23.79% at 4% after first increasing by 19.47% at 2% and then declining by 19.47% at 6%. A filler concentration of 4% is optimum, according to these trends, because it maximises mechanical benefits via increased filler-matrix stress transmission and microstructural reinforcement. When this happens, the qualities start to deteriorate due to stress concentration locations and compromised composite integrity caused by filler agglomeration and inadequate interfacial bonding. In order to achieve a balanced improvement in both material reinforcement and manufacturing feasibility, it is necessary to optimise the filler concentration. This research shows that crab shell powder is an efficient natural filler for improving the mechanical strength of S-glass fibre-epoxy composites. By strengthening the link between shell particles and S-glass fibres, brachyuran shell reinforcement makes materials more rigid, pliable, impact-resistant, and tension-strong. Compared to standard S-glass epoxy and other natural fibre/epoxy options, the composites are far more durable, rigid, and long-lasting. Based on these findings, structural composites produced from bio-waste offer great promise for applications in the engineering field. Sustainability in advanced material design is promoted, and critical mechanical metrics are improved upon compared to present natural fibre-epoxy composites. The creation of long-lasting, sustainable composite materials designed for innovative engineering applications can be aided by these insights.

Keywords

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