Mechanical, microstructure, and dynamic mechanical analysis of nano-shell and plant fiber hybrid biocomposite

Abstract

This study deal with the development and investigation of a novel hybrid nano-shell plant fiber biocomposite. Nano-calcium carbonate CaCO3 ranging from 1 to 5 wt% and 20 wt% banana fiber-filled hybrid biocomposite were prepared using a hand lay-up process followed by applying load on a closed mold. Nano-CaCO3 of near-uniform size and shape was synthesized from Achatina Fulica through a mechanochemical technique. The effect loading fiber of uniform 30 mm size on the mechanical, physical, thermal properties of greenpoxy composite was investigated. The influence of nano-CaCO3 loading (1 to 5 wt%) on banana fiber-filled greenpoxy composite, dynamic mechanical properties, tensile, flexural, impact strength was further investigated. The result showed that the loading of banana fiber improved mechanical properties and negatively affected temperature dependence storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan δ. Better load carrying and stress distribution capacity of the fiber within the biocomposites can be attributed to the high strength and stiffness observed for these series. The poor thermal properties of banana fiber can be ascribed to a decrease in the temperature dependence properties. The loading of nano-CaCO3 improved most of the banana-filled greenpoxy biocomposite, and hybrid composite with 2 wt% nano-CaCO3 offered superior properties. Uniform dispersion, excellent matrix/nano-CaCO3/banana fiber adhesion provided a strong structure, resulting in improved mechanical and temperature-dependant properties.