Experimental Studies on Water Absorption Behaviour of Treated and Untreated Hybrid Bio-Composites

Abstract

Abstract Various experimental works were successfully accomplished over the past years on the natural resources reinforced composites. This research work is focused on the water absorption behaviour of the treated and untreated banana fiber reinforced, used camellia sinensis particles filled along with the epoxy resin matrix bio-composites. Different weight percentages of reinforcement and filler materials were taken to prepare the hybrid composite specimens, whereas the epoxy resin matrix were keeping constant. Traditional hand layup technique was adopted and the boards of the hybrid composites were effectively fabricated by using the same technique. Hybrid bio-composite specimens for water absorption tests were prepared by using the portable wood cutting machine as per the ASTM standards for the efficient justification on experimental results. Water absorption tests on the hybrid bio-composite specimens were carried out as per the ASTM standards. Water absorption behaviour of the treated and untreated banana fiber reinforced, used camellia sinensis particles filled, epoxy resin matrix hybrid composite specimens were absorbed and compared with each other. Experimental results shows that the chemically treated banana fiber reinforced with narrow amount of used camellia sinensis particle filled hybrid composite specimens exhibits the better water absorption behaviour than that of untreated banana fiber reinforced with elevated amount of used camellia sinensis particle filled hybrid composite specimens.