Novel Polyalthia Longifolia seed fillers loaded and E-glass fiber-reinforced sandwich epoxy composites
C. Balaji Ayyanar, Marimuthu Krishnaswamy, Mugilan Thanigachalam, B. Gayathri, Sanjay Mavinkere Rangappa, Anish Khan, Suchart Siengchin, Suchart Siengchin
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.