ThermoMechanical Characterization of Calotropis gigantea Stem Powder-Filled Jute Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Abstract

Filler performs key tasks in enhancing the strength of the composites. Calotropis gigantea is a weed waste typically called White Madar, widely grown in Asian countries. It is ground to powder and used as filler. Thus the present work deals with the development of three different jute fiber reinforced epoxy composite filled without and with various weight proportion of Calotropis gigantea stem powder namely 5 and 10 weight percentage using conventional hand lay-up technique. The developed composites are tested for its mechanical properties as per ASTM standards and thermal stability using the Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer. The composite which is filled with 10 weight percentage Calotropis gigantea powder filler showed superior properties in both thermal and mechanical characteristics due to its higher filler content which possess constituents like cellulose, lignin, etc. Scanning Electron Microscopy helped to analyze the fiber pullout, fractured interface, filler distribution, voids of the composites.

Keywords

• calotropis gigantea stem powder
• filler
• hand lay-up
• mechanical characteristics
• natural fiber composite
• thermal stability