Mechanical Properties of Jute Fiber Polyester Hybrid Composite Filled with Eggshell

Abstract

Natural fibers are being used in composites as a means of environmental protection through the use of biodegradable components. By combining natural and synthetic fibers, the use of natural fibers might be expanded significantly, potentially lowering the cost of hybrid composites. Fiber reinforced polymer-based composites have been used in a wide range of industrial applications for a very long time because of their high specific strength and modulus. The use of coir, a natural fiber, as reinforcement in reinforced polymers was decided upon due to the availability of different natural fibers. Natural fibers are equally as strong and light as they are affordable. Therefore, the aim of this research is to analyze the mechanical characteristics of a jute fiber/polyester hybrid composite filled with eggshell. In this study, woven jute fibers and polyester filled with eggshell powder were employed to construct composites utilizing the layering technique. In accordance with ASTM standards, tensile, flexural, impact, and water absorption tests are performed to assess the influence of ratio. Five ratios were employed: 80% eggshell powder and 20% polyester (EP80P20), 70% eggshell powder and 30% polyester (EP70P30), 50% eggshell powder and 50% polyester (EP50P50), 40% eggshell powder and 60% polyester (EP40P60), and 20% eggshell powder and 80% polyester (EP20P80). The results show that the composite with EP20P80 has the highest tensile strength, elasticity and flexural strength, followed by EP40P60, EP50P50, EP70P30 and EP80P20. This implies the increment ratio of the eggshell powder leads to the reduction in tensile strength, elasticity and flexural strength. Meanwhile, the statistical data analysis shows that there are a significant difference among the five ratios (p-value < 0.05) for the tensile and flexural tests. However, the impact test shows the opposite result.