Impact and hardness properties of honeycomb natural fibre reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract

Recently, the natural fibre-reinforced polymer is rapidly growing both in terms of their industrial applications and fundamental research. These composites are having low density and cost as well as satisfactory mechanical properties which make them attractive for automobiles, railways coaches and aerospace. This work describes the development of honeycomb natural fibre reinforced epoxy composites. The impact and hardness properties were characterized by using Izod impact and Brinell hardness tester. The morphologies of the impact fracture of honeycomb natural fibre reinforced epoxy composites were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composites were prepared via casting technique, the mixture of epoxy resin and the honeycomb natural fiber were mixed using mechanical stirrer. The composites that contain 9 wt% of honeycomb natural fiber exhibited the highest impact strength and hardness at 98 J/m and 58.09 HB. These results illustrate the possibilities of a honeycomb of beeswax can be a filler for reinforcing composites. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.