EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF MECHANICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTY OF OKRO BAST FIBRE/EPOXY COMPOSITES

Abstract

In recent years the development of polymer composites made from organic resources in the various sectors is increasing considerably due to the environmental issues and health hazard possessed by the traditional or synthetic fibres during disposal and manufacturing. Nnatural fibres are rapidly used as the reinforcement material in polymer matrix composites due to their advantages like low cost, availability, low density, good mechanical properties environment friendly, higher stiffness, and biodegradability characteristics. In present study, The OBF were treated with 5% sodium Hydroxide and then fabricated using ER as the matrix material. OBF weight fraction of 3% ,6%, 9%, 12% and 15% was used as the filler material for all the composites. Composites Preparation and testing were conducted according to the ASTM standards. Tensile, hardness, impact and water absorption were conducted to find the mechanical and physical behavior of the composites.