Novel Polyalthia Longifolia seed fillers loaded and E-glass fiber-reinforced sandwich epoxy composites

Abstract

The research aims to develop new polymer composites using Polyalthia longifolia seeds (PLS) particulates-loaded epoxy composites through open layup molding technique with different wt.% of PLS fillers (PLSF) (10, 20, 30,40, and 50 wt. %). As per ASTM standards, the composite specimens were fabricated and carried out the tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength, and Shore D hardness. Among the different weight percentages of composites, the 30 wt. % of PLSF-loaded epoxy composites exhibited the maximum tensile strength of 18.5 ± 0.5 MPa, compressive strength of 22.5 MPa, the flexural strength of 22 MPa, and Shore D hardness of 92 ± 0.5 SHN. The strength of the 30 wt. of PLSF-loaded epoxy composites was further enhanced by incorporating single layer of 400 GSM E-glass fiber on both sides of the composites and attained the maximum strength of 26.5 ± 0.5 MPa. The PLSF-loaded epoxy composite specimen was carried out the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and found the presence of different functional groups. The surface morphology and elemental compositions of 30 wt. % PLSF-loaded epoxy composite was found through filed emission electron microscope (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The average length of fillers was found as 2.25 ± µm through FESEM. The newly developed PLSF-loaded and E-glass fiber-reinforced epoxy sandwich composites would be used where the strength is less significant.