Study the effect of ZnO nanoparticles reinforced sawdust /epoxy composites on mechanical properties

Abstract

In the last few decades, Composites reinforced with natural fibre have generated more interest by researches and engineers due to their law density, high strength, low cost, light weight, recyclability and biodegradability and has gained a special category of green composite. In this work, wood dust reinforced epoxy composites were prepared with 20:80 % filler vol. zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) sawdust/epoxy composites were synthesized by a simple casting method with five different ratios [0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1% Vol.] of ZnONPs. The samples of the nanocomposites were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. The flexural strength and hardness tests were carried out to study the mechanical properties of the composites. From the observation it was found that the mechanical property increases up to certain filler 0.5 vol. % and then properties gradually decrease.