Characterization of natural fiber (sheep wool)-reinforced polymer-matrix composites at different operating conditions

Abstract

Destructive methods, viz. tensile test, bending test, water absorption test, chemical absorption test, and biodegradable test of woven sheep fiber reinforced with 40% and 50% epoxy composites, were studied at different operating conditions. The present investigation is focused on the physical and chemical characterization of the sheep wool fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composites. Result shows that tensile and bending tests of woven sheep fiber composite of composition (50–50) have high strength and maximum bending compared to woven sheep fiber composite of composition (60–40). The (50–50) composition is having more moisture absorption than (60–40) composition, whereas (60–40) composition has more chemical absorption than (50–50) composition. Biodegradable test shows that compositions (50–50) and (60–40) after few days gain almost the same amount of weight. Destructed surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscope.