Investigation on the characteristics of bamboo/jute reinforced hybrid epoxy polymer composites

Natural fibres are the new class of material which are replacing the conventional synthetic fibres in several applications in recent years. In the current study, the hybrid composites were developed with jute and bamboo fibres. The composites were produced with different stacking sequences of jute/bamboo fibres by hand lay-up method using Epoxy LY556 and Hardener HY951. The tensile, flexural, impact, compression, water absorption and biodegradation properties were analysed for the developed composites as per ASTM. The fractured surface of the tensile specimen was analysed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The outcome of the results showed that hybrid composites consisting of bamboo fibre at the outer layer and jute fibre at the inner layer had enhanced properties. SEM studies revealed that proper bonding between the matrix and epoxy resulted in obtaining enhanced properties.