Manufacturing and Evaluation of jute fiber with gypsum and walnut shell powder Composite with Epoxy Resin

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the mechanical and physical characteristics of jute fibre composites reinforced with different sizes of gypsum and walnut shell powder in an epoxy resin matrix using hand layup technique. Using a 3x3 orthogonal array that encompasses three parameters at three levels each, composites were created based on a Taguchi design technique. Tensile, flexural, and impact strength tests were performed on the composites, along with thickness swelling and water absorption testing and ANOVA analysis was performed for each test using Minitab. The results show that temperature, size, and composition of the walnut shell powder all improved flexural strength, but composition, size of the walnut shell powder declines the tensile strength upon increasing them, and higher temperatures of jute fiber increased tensile strength. The impact strength was constant in all combinations. Higher temperature produced composites showed better rates of water absorption, especially those with more powdered walnut shell. Notably, the composite with 0% walnut shell powder (size <1mm) produced at ambient temperature showed the maximum tensile strength, whereas the composite heated to 80°C with 5% walnut shell powder (size <4mm) showed the highest flexural strength. The mechanical characteristics and water absorption behaviour of jute fiber-walnut shell powder composites can be optimised for a variety of applications with the help of these results.