Impact of BaSO₄ filler on woven Aloevera/Hemp hybrid composite: Dynamic mechanical analysis

The influence of barium sulfate (BaSO₄) filler on the woven natural fiber Aloevera/Hemp/flax hybrid composites behavior is studied. The hybrid composite mechanical behaviors are characterized by tensile, impact and flexural testing. The viscoelastic properties are assessed (DMA) by storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″) and damping factor (Tan δ). The heterogeneity of the hybrid composite is analyzed by cole cole plot. The scanning electron microscope fractographical images reveal the fiber fracture, fiber pullout, voids and dispersion of BaSO₄ particles. The obtained result shows that the effect of BaSO₄ in AHB (Aloevera/Hemp/BaSO₄) composite minimizes the flexural modulus by 18% and fail to exhibit the significant improvement in the FHB (Flax/Hemp/BaSO₄) composite (0.06%). In addition to that the filler enhances the loss modulus and damping factor of the composite. In the glass transition region the maximum storage modulus is recorded in FHB composite and minimum in AH (Aloevera/Hemp) composite. In the rubber region beyond 100 °C the minimum molecular mobility and stress level affect the magnitude of the storage and loss modulus. The cole cole results evidence that the type of fiber and addition of filler affects the homogeneity of the hybrid composite. (paper)