Evaluation of mechanical, tribological, and physical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with Borassusflabellifer and glass fibers

Abstract

The mechanical, physical, and wear properties of hybrid composites developed with Borassusflabelliferfiber and glass fiber as reinforcements to an epoxy resin matrix were investigated. The impact, hardness, water absorption, wear, flexural and tensile properties were studied by different laminate compositions to analyse the effect of hybridization. The composite materials were made using two different formulations where the first one (S1) contained Epoxy resin (60) + Borassusflabellifer (25) + S-Glass fiber (15), the second one (S2) contained Epoxy resin (60) + Borassusflabellifer (20) + S-Glass fiber (20). The important findings revealed that S2 was superior to S1 in a variety of properties tensile strength (S1: 35.58 MPa, S2: 41.54 MPa), impact energy absorption (S1: 5.15 J, S2: 5.54 J), Shore D hardness (S1: 72.33, S2: 74.6), and water absorption (S1: 2.4, S2: 1.2 after 24 hours). In S2, wear resistance was also increased as wear loss was less than that of S1. The high performance of S2 can be explained by the fact that the flabellifer of Borassus and the glass fibers can be adhered to each other better, which leads to an increase in the transfer of loads and a decrease in fibers pulling out. The findings indicate the possibilities of these hybrid composites to be used in structural and tribological systems and provide a compromise of lightweight and durable materials.