Effect of hybridisation on the mechanical and weathering characteristics on jute-arecanut leaf-epoxy composites

Natural fibres play a crucial role in composites by offering renewable, sustainable, low cost and lightweight alternatives to synthetic fibres, promoting eco-friendly composites. Combination of natural fibres such as jute and areca nut in fabricating hybrid composites with superior properties forms the basis of this study. It was observed that mechanical properties increased with increasing natural fibre content. However, jute composites exhibited better properties (strength and rigidity) than arecanut leaf fibre composites due to their inherent superior properties. Hybridisation of fibres yielded higher properties showing that the combination of jute and areca nut fibres (30 wt % fibre content) is more effective in reinforcing the composites. Weathering characteristics revealed that the water absorption and swelling occurred in composites upon their exposure to external environment, water and chemicals. Moreover, their impact properties also decreased subsequent to weathering. Finite element analysis was carried out on these composites under tensile and flexural loading conditions yielded similar trends with experimental results. Remarkable mechanical properties exhibited due to hybridisation of these composites give them potential to be used in different domains such as automobile interiors, furniture, packaging, etc., with lower cost due to the use of natural fibres.