Physical, Mechanical and Water Absorption Behaviour of Coir Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites Filled With Al₂O₃ Particulates

The objective of the present work is to study the physical, mechanical and water absorption behaviour of coir fiber reinforced epoxy composites filled with Al₂O₃ particulates. Composites with different compositions were prepared by varying the length of the fiber and content of fiber using hand lay-up technique. The experimental investigation reveals that the properties of composite increases with the incorporation of Al₂O₃ particulates. It is observed that the density of composites increases with increase in fiber content, while a decrease in density is observed with increase in fiber length. The strength properties of the composites increases with the increase in fiber content up to 15 wt.% and 12mm fiber length, however further increase in fiber length and fiber content the value decreases. The maximum tensile strength of 25.71 MPa, flexural strength of 29.75 MPa and impact strength of 14.76kJ/m² is obtained for composites with 12 mm fiber length and 15 wt.% of fiber content. The hardness and tensile modulus, on the other hand, increases with increase in fiber length and fiber content. The maximum hardness value of 19.52H_v and tensile modulus of 3.412 GPa is obtained for composites with 15mm fiber length and 20 wt.% of fiber content. Finally, morphological analysis is also carried out using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to study the fracture behaviour of the composite samples. (paper)