Development and characterization of low cost jute, bagasse and glass fiber reinforced advanced hybrid epoxy composites

The application of natural fibers such as Jute/bagasse with glass fiber hybrid advanced composites has gained increasing interest both in many areas of engineering and technology. Hybrid plates of two compositions, i.e., Jute fiber mat-chopped glass fiber and Chopped Bagasse-glass fiber mat with epoxy as a matrix were fabricated using hand lay-up technique and their mechanical properties were evaluated. Tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), elongation at break (Eb%) and hardness of the composite samples were evaluated as per ASTM standards. Moisture absorption capacity for the above two compositions have been found out by hygrometric principle and it was concluded that the water absorption increased as the weight% of natural reinforcement increased. Degradation test has been carried out by burying the samples for different period (15–30 days) in the soil and it was found that as the weight% of natural fiber reinforcement increased the degradation rate increased. Tensile strength was found to be increased (11%) by alkali (NaOH) treatment of the natural fiber. The composite specimens were also immersed in the water for 24 hours and decrement in the tensile strength was noted. Microscopic examinations were carried out to analyse the interfacial characteristics of materials, internal structure of the fractured surfaces and material failure morphology by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).