Mechanical Properties Evaluation for Cotton/Glass/Epoxy Hybrid Composite

Abstract

Natural fibre reinforced composites of any group are essential to satisfy the current demand and to keep the environment-friendly approach. In the present work, an attempt has been made to replace glass fibres partially by cotton fabric so as to reduce weight and cost of the resultant composite Here, cotton fabric 0.4 mm thick (125 GSM) and fibreglass woven roving 0.15 mm thick (180 GSM) were used with epoxy resin in different weight fractions to prepare hybrid composites. The composites were prepared using hand lay-up method. The Tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength and hardness tests were performed as per ASTM standards and results are reported for each sample. The specimens were characterised using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The mechanical properties of composites with 80% glass fibre and 20% cotton fabric are found to be closer to glass/epoxy composites. Hence it is concluded that 20% glass fibres can be replaced by cotton fabric in the existing glass/epoxy products in which mechanical properties are important.