Mechanical performance of polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers for reliable structural biomaterial

Abstract

Abstract

Hybrid nanocomposite that exploits the synergy between natural fibers (industrial jute) in nano-reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) based polymer can lead to improved properties while maintaining environmental appeal. Reinforcement of the UP-based resin with natural fibers (industrial jute) permits to retain flexural strength and hardness without sacrificing modulus, while also improving tribological properties. The industrial jute reinforced UP matrix composites having different filler was fabricated by compression molding technique and the variation of loading was taken as 5, 10 and 15 wt.%. Characterization of different polymer composites verified this synergistic behavior in which with 10 wt.% natural fibers (industrial jute) improve significant bulk and nanomechanical properties. Optimum designs that maximize the interaction of the constituents are thus possible and the presented results provide an initial benchmark to identify such balance, and thus increase the performance of natural fibers-based composites in structural biomaterials application.

Keywords: Thermosetting composites, natural fibre, nanoindentation, scratch

Cite this Article

Podder A, Lenka PK, Biswas A, et al. Mechanical performance of polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers for reliable structural biomaterial. Journal of Modern Chemistry & Chemical Technology. 2018; 9(3): 13–22p.