Cotton-Epoxy Composites: Development and Mechanical Characterization

Abstract

Composites are becoming essential part of today’s material because they offer advantages such as low weight, corrosion resistance, high fatigue strength; faster assembly etc. composites are generating curiosity and interest all over the worlds. The attempts can be found in literature for composite materials high strength fiber and also natural fiber like jute, flax and sisal natural fibers provides data but there is need of experimental data availability for unidirectional natural fiber composite with seldom natural fiber like cotton, palm leaf etc., it can provide a feasible range of alternative materials to suitable conventional material. It was decided to carry out the systematic experimental study for the effect of volume fraction of reinforcement on longitudinal strength as well as Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) using developed mould-punch set up and testing aids. The testing is carried out as per ASTM D3039/3039M-08. The comparative assessment of obtained experimental results with literature is also carried out, which forms an important constituent of present work. It is also observed through SEM images and theoretical investigations that interface/interphase plays and important role in natural fiber composite.