Investigation on the long term mechanical performance and quasi static compressive properties of jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract

fiber woven mat reinforced epoxy laminated composites are widely used in various structural applications. The laminated composites were prepared by simple hand lay-up and compression moulding methods with various layering patterns like 0º balanced laminate of [0º/0º/0º/0º/0º], 30º angle-ply laminate of [0º/+30º/0º/-30º/0º] and 45° angle-ply laminate of [0°/+45°/0°/-45°/0°]. The prepared composite samples were immersed in water at different periods of 10, 20, 30 and 40 days aging. The effects of the aging on their mechanical properties were studied according to ASTM standards. The results showed that the weights of the composite samples increased by increasing the aging periods. The mechanical strengths retention and prediction of maximum life of the laminated composites were analysed by predicting their diffusion coefficients and activation energies, using Fick s law and Arrhenius principle. The mechanical properties of aged (wet) composites were compared with the unaged (dry) counterparts to predict their strengths retention. The composite with 45° layering pattern exhibited the maximum strength retention. Also, the same composite sample with layering pattern of 45° produced the maximum activation energy. newlineThe tensile fractured surfaces were analyzed to investigate into their fiber-matrix interfacial bonds through images obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM). They showed that the composite with layering pattern of 45° exhibited best mechanical properties. Hence, they can act as suitable, sustainable, low cost and environmentally friendly composite materials for structural applications. newline