A new assessment on mechanical properties of jute fiber mat with egg shell powder/nanoclay-reinforced polyester matrix composites

Abstract

Natural fiber polymer matrix composites occupy the major percentage in applications due to its ecofriendly and low-cost nature. This study investigates the mechanical properties of a polyester matrix nanocomposite reinforced by the NaOH-treated jute fabric mat (NJM) and untreated jute fabric mat (UJM). In addition, the effects of egg shell powder (ESP) and nanoclay (NC) to the above has also been studied. The matrices were prepared with different combinations of presence and absence of the ESP, NC, and both as well as different weight percentage using compression molding process. The mechanical and morphological properties of the composites were determined. The tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength of NJM with NC 1.5%wt and ESP 1.5%wt were found to be 29.28 MPa, 39.51 MPa and impact strength 3.03 J, respectively. This composition is superior to the other compositions. Morphological analysis of tensile fractured surface showed interfacial adhesion between UJM and NJM composites. NJM composites contained smaller amount of pullouts and the splits compared with the UJM composites, which hold up the better performance.

Keywords

• hybrid filler composite
• jute
• egg shell
• nanoclay
• compression moulding