Mechanical and Wear Properties of Developed Cellulosic Fiber-Particles Hybrid Reinforced Epoxy- Based Composites for Automotive Application

Studies are presently ongoing to advance the development of bio-composite materials through the exploration of the potential use of reinforcements of natural origin in polymer matrixes. In this particular investigation, hybrid reinforced composite was formulated for automotive application by utilizing epoxy as the matrix and sisal fiber-paper particles as the reinforcements. The sisal fiber was extracted employing soil retting method, subjected to surface treatment, and combined with paper particles. Following preparation of the reinforcements, predetermined compositions (3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 wt %) were mixed with epoxy resin before being poured into the moulds using hand layup process and were allow to cure. The study focused on the mechanical, wear, and water absorption properties, as well as the surface morphologies of the developed composites. The results of the study revealed that the optimal properties were achieved with the utilization of 9 wt. % and 12 wt. % sisal fiber-paper particles reinforced composite. Particulate paper was discovered to be a suitably surface compatibilizer in thermosets when used as fillers with fiber reinforcement. Thus, the epoxy based composite reinforced with hybrid sisal fiber-paper particles is suitable for automobile application in the fabrication of bumper and other epoxy based body parts.