Tensile Behaviour of Hybrid Polymer Composites – An Experimental Study

Abstract

Abstract In recent years, developments of hybrid polymer composites by adding the natural and synthetic resources as reinforcement materials are significantly increased to enhance the required properties of the composites. In this research work, effects of Nano alumina particles and water hyacinth particles addition into the HDPE polymer matrix for its tensile properties were studied through experimentation. Fine Nano alumina particles are used as filler and the well water hyacinth particles are used as reinforcement materials. Hybrid composite specimens were prepared by varying the weight percentage of filler and reinforcement materials and keeping the HDPE’s weight percentage as constant. Hybrid composite boards were fabricated by using hydraulic type injection moulding machine. Hybrid polymer composite specimens for tension test is cut away from the hybrid composite boards as per the ASTM standards with the help of water jet machining process. Experimental results reveal that the limited addition of fine Nano alumina and water hyacinth particles into the HDPE polymer matrix improves the tensile properties of the hybrid composites significantly when compare to the pure HDPE polymer composite.