Physical and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Short Sisal Fibre

Mechanical

Abstract The present work aims at developing a class of polymer composites consisting of thermoset polymer i.e. epoxy as a matrix material with natural fibre i.e. sisal fibre as a reinforcing material. A set of composites with varying fibre loading has been fabricated by a simple hand lay-up technique. The effect of fibre content on the physical and mechanical properties of such fabricated samples is investigated and presented in this work. The various property evaluated is density, void content, water absorption rate, tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength and hardness of the fabricated samples. The values obtained under controlled laboratory conditions are analyzed to identify its behaviour. From the experimental results, it is found that the density of the composite decreases with an increase in filler content. However, the void content and water absorption rate of the composites are increases when the fibre content in the epoxy matrix increases. Further, short sisal fibre inclusion in epoxy matrix increases the flexural, compressive strength and hardness of the composite. Against that, the decreasing trend is obtained when the tensile strength of the fabricated samples was analyzed.

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