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A polymer resin matrix modified by coconut filler and its effect on structural behavior of glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites

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Abstract

The need to create a more environmentally friendly future has prompted academics to explore beyond synthetic fiber-based composites and continue to consider natural fiber-based polymer composites. In this present study, a biofiller-based synthetic composite was developed. The investigation was followed to analyze the possibility of using natural fillers in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems for structural applications. Initially flexural testing was done on particle-reinforced composites (PRC) modified with palm, coconut and sea shell particles to study their influence on structural stiffness. It was found that coconut shell particles presented better results. Next, coconut filler was included in the matrix phase of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates to study its effect on fibre/matrix interaction and wetting of fibre by matrix. Flexural testing of GFRP with 90° fibre orientation showed improvements in flexural stiffness due to the matrix modification and 0° fibre orientation showed that filler inclusion did not deteriorate the properties of GFRP. Indentation test confirmed that optimum inclusion of filler improves the compressive-strength, deformability and elastic-recovery of the matrix. Tensile test results of PRC confirmed that optimum filler inclusion improves toughness of the matrix. Thus, coconut fillers can be used in FRPs as reliable structural materials in various mechanical applications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Marri Laxman Reddy Institute of Technology and Management, Hyderabad, 500043, India

    S. P. Jani

  2. Automobile Engineering, New Horizon College of Engineering, Bengaluru, India

    A. Sujin Jose

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Government College of Engineering Srirangam, Sethurapatti, Tamilnadu, India

    C. Rajaganapathy

  4. School of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering, Kalasalingam Academy of Research & Education, Virudhunagar Dist., Srivilliputhur, Tamilnadu, India

    M. Adam Khan

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  1. S. P. Jani
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  2. A. Sujin Jose
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  3. C. Rajaganapathy
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  4. M. Adam Khan
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Correspondence to S. P. Jani.

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Jani, S.P., Jose, A.S., Rajaganapathy, C. et al. A polymer resin matrix modified by coconut filler and its effect on structural behavior of glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Iran Polym J 31, 857–867 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-022-01042-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-022-01042-y

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