Exploration and Characterization of Biodegradable Hybrid Composites Reinforced with Areca Leaf Sheath Fiber and Tamarind Seed Powder
G. Ramanan, Rimal Isaac R．S．, S. Suresh, Powell John J.M., M Paavana, Sneha S．K．, A Vinodhini, Beena Stanislaus Arputharaj, Subhav Singh, Deekshant Varshney, Vijayanandh Raja
Abstract
• This work develops and investigates epoxy polymer composites reinforced with Areca leaf sheath and tamarind seed powder. The composite specimens were hand-laid using five compositions to determine the best blend for increased characteristics. Mechanical parameters like hardness, tensile strength, and impact resistance were evaluated. • To determine the composites' physical and chemical properties, wear, microstructural, X-ray, and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses were performed. Specimen-C, with 20 % Areca leaf sheath, 20 % tamarind seed powder, and 60 % epoxy, had the highest hardness of 74.14 VHN and tensile strength of 66.32 MPa. • The composite's thermal stress stability was confirmed by microstructural and TGA studies showing good constituent bonding and temperature adaptation. All samples were thermally stable up to 300 °C. Denser fiber-matrix packing makes Specimen-C harder, but wear can make it brittle. These results show that Specimen-C is a strong material with excellent characteristics that can be used in aerospace and automotive applications. • The study shows that hybrid natural fibre composites can provide high-performance, environmentally friendly materials. Researchers in the field of natural fiber materials are actively developing biodegradable composites as sustainable alternatives to synthetic ones. These polymer composites, incorporating natural fibers, exhibit exceptional mechanical properties and are environmentally friendly. The objective is to develop and analyse novel epoxy polymer composites reinforced with Areca leaf sheath and tamarind seed powder, evaluating their mechanical, thermal, and structural properties for high-performance applications. The mechanical properties, including hardness, tensile strength, and impact resistance, were thoroughly assessed. Additionally, the material characteristics were examined through wear analysis, microstructural analysis, X-ray-diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to determine the physical and chemical attributes of the composites. The main findings of this study present Specimen-C (20 % Areca leaf sheath, 20 % tamarind seed powder, 60 % epoxy) exhibited the highest hardness (74.14 VHN) and tensile strength (66.32 MPa), with strong interfacial bonding and thermal stability up to 300 °C. The microstructural and TGA analyses revealed favourable bonding between the constituents and excellent temperature adaptability, indicating the composite's stability under thermal stress. While offering superior mechanical properties, its increased hardness led to brittleness under wear conditions, making it suitable for aerospace and automotive applications. Specimen-C has higher hardness due to a denser fiber-matrix packing, but this can lead to brittleness under wear conditions. These findings highlight the potential of Specimen-C as a robust material with superior specific properties suitable for demanding applications, such as in the aerospace and automotive industries. The study demonstrates the viability of using hybrid natural fiber composites to achieve high-performance materials while contributing to environmental sustainability.