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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research

Synergistic Effects of Hybridized Nano-Silica and Hemp Fiber Reinforcement on Bio-Epoxy Composites

  1. Priya R. Department of Chemistry, VEL Tech high tech Dr. Rangarajan Dr. Sakunthala Engineering collage
  2. M. Bala Theja Department of Mechanical Engineering, Santhiram Engineering College (Autonomous), Nandyal
  3. Hari Kumar Andem Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kakatiya Institute of Technology and Science, Hasanparthy, Hanamkonda
  4. Ankush B. Khansole CSMSS Chhatrapati SHAHU College of Engineering, Kachan Wadi, Chhatrapati Sambhaji nagar
  5. S. Mohamed Rabeek PG and Research Department of Chemistry, Jamal Mohamed College (Autonomous), Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Trichy
  6. Rekha Anantharaman Department of Microbial Research Lab, Obstetrics and Gyanecology, Saveetha Medical College, SIMATS, Thandalam
  7. S.B.G. Tilak Babu Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Aditya University, Surampalem

Abstract

Natural fiber-reinforced bio-epoxy composites have become promising sustainable alternatives to conventional synthetic-fiber petroleum-based materials, but are often limited by low fiber-matrix interfacial bonding, low thermal stability, and high moisture absorption which limit their application in structural applications. These issues are discussed in this work, by carrying out a systematic investigation of the synergistic effects of the hybridization of nano-silica particles with alkali-treated hemp fibers in a bio-epoxy matrix the composites comprising 05 wt.% nano-silica were fabricated by resorting to resin transfer molding with vacuum assistance. Mechanical tests indicated that huge improvements had been made with the 5 wt.% nano-silica variant achieving tensile strength of 119.8 MPa (74% improvement), flexural strength of 148.7 MPa (61% improvement), impact strength of 12.3 kJ/m2 (98% improvement), and hardness of 97.8 Shore D (25 percentage improvement) versus the neat bio-epoxy base. Thermal treatment revealed that the temperature of the onset degradation rose by a factor of 66 o C to 358 o C and 22.4-percent weight of char, respectively, after 24 h immersion. This is attributed to enhanced interfacial adhesion and correct crack deflection as well as the formation of tortuous diffusion pathways that is precipitated by the uniformly dispersed nano-silica. The resultant hybrid composites offer one of the avenues through which lightweight, high-performance and environmentally friendly composites can be developed and applied in lightweight, high-performance and environmental-friendly automotive, marine and aerospace structural components.

Keywords

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