A study on hardness and thermal properties of fibre based particulate polymer composites
R.S. Chidhananda, Sparsha D. Prakash, P. Nireeksha, Srinivas Reddy Mungara
Abstract
An experimental study has been conducted to determine the hardness properties and to analyse the thermal behaviour of green polymer composites with a particulate reinforcing material of a particular size range. These composites are obtained by reinforcing bagasse particulates (fibre that remains after the juice has been extracted from the sugarcane) and coir particulates (fibre obtained from the outer shell of a coconut), in different percentage compositions, both individually and as a combination, into the epoxy resin matrix, with and without a hardener as a catalyst. The fabricated composites are subjected to a Brinell Hardness test to evaluate it’s hardness property, and also to a Thermo-gravimetric analysis in so as to carry out thermal analysis and check the burn out of the sample specimen.