Effect of bio nanofiller in influencing the carbon and E-glass fabric reinforced composites

Abstract

The exceptional mechanical properties, dimensional stability and low cost of production of textile composites have made them quite popular in recent years. In the present analysis, plain woven inter, intra and hybrid carbon and E-glass fibre reinforced composites incorporated with or without nano-coconut shell ash (CSA) as filler were manufactured by hand lay-up method. The mechanical and thermal properties were determined for the manufactured composites. Simultaneously, the fractographic study was conducted by scanning electron microscopy to predict the different kind of failures in composites. The mechanical properties of the composites were found to be significantly better when 2 wt.% of CSA was substituted in it. The inter-hybrid composite containing 2 wt.% nanofiller demonstrated the highest tensile strength of 245.96 MPa, flexural strength of 496.03 MPa and maximum degradation temperature with weight change of 81.08%. A combination of intra- and inter-hybrid woven composite revealed the highest impact resistance of 3.3 J. The pseudo-ductile performance of intra-hybrid composites is also distinctly observed, showing moderate tensile stress of 299.376 MPa and maximum elongation of 5.137 mm. The current scientific effort makes it clear that the greatest tensile strength was obtained by positioning carbon fibres inside and the glass fibres outside. The surface proximity and diffusion of nanofillers in the composites further enhanced their tensile properties. Shear dispersion also led to maximum energy absorption without the need for nanofiller in case of combination of intra- and inter-woven fibre composites.