Study on Effect of Fiber Loading Natural Coccinia Grandis Fiber Epoxy Composite

Abstract

Synthetic fiber-reinforced composites are difficult to be disposed of after their intended use due to their non-biodegradable nature. Natural plant fibers, which are renewable and fully biodegradable, are, therefore, ideal alternatives that can replace synthetic fibers. In this research paper, the application of biodegradable Coccinia grandis fiber-reinforced epoxy bio composite is investigated. The randomly oriented Coccinia grandis fiber-reinforced bio composites were prepared by compression molding with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% fiber weight. Tensile, flexural, and impact tests were used to determine the composite’s mechanical properties, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) was used to understand the interfacial bonding. The obtained results revealed that 40% fiber weight could produce Coccinia grandis fiber-reinforced bio composite with the highest tensile strength, impact strength, and interfacial adhesion among all the prepared composites, whereas 50% fiber weight could make the bio composite with the highest flexural strength. The results show that the Coccinia grandis fiber-reinforced bio composites seem to have potential applications in automobile, construction, interiors, etc.

Keywords

• natural fiber
• epoxy coating
• fiber/matrix bond
• mechanical properties
• electron microscopy
• compression molding