Experimental Investigation of Jute Fabric / Nano-SiO <sub>2</sub> Reinforced Epoxy Composite
Sagar Singh, Chitranjan Agarwal, N. L. Panwar, Vikas Upadhyay
Abstract
The effect of Nano-SiO2 powder on the mechanical behavior of a jute fabric/epoxy composite has been investigated experimentally. Due to qualities like biodegradability, strength, light weight, and affordability, composites are preferred for static and dynamic applications. Nano – SiO2 powder size of 15 nm was used as a filler material. Hand lay-up techniques were used to develop the composites, which had filler contents of 2%, 3%, and 5% Nano – SiO2 by weight of the epoxy resin. Tensile, Impact, Wear, Moisture Absorption, and Thermo – Gravimetric Analysis were used to characterize the mechanical properties of the composites. The results reveal that the jute/epoxy composite is significantly improved by the hybridization process using fillers. The maximum improvement in the composite’s tensile (44.09 MPa), impact (4 joules), wear, moisture absorption (0.5–4%), and thermos-gravimetric (2.96%) properties is achieved when 2 wt.% of nano-SiO2 is added.