Advanced hemp-based hybrid composites: A study on the influence of various nanofillers on mechanical and morphological properties

Velmurugan GANESAN; Jasgurpreet Singh  CHOHAN; Muthukumar  V; Nagaraj M; Lakshmi Narayana  S

doi:10.55713/jmmm.v36i2.2427

Authors

Velmurugan GANESAN Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Mohan Babu University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India 517102;
Jasgurpreet Singh CHOHAN Department of Mechanical Engineering, University Centre for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Gharuan Mohali, India- 140 413.
Muthukumar V Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha Engineering College, Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Chennai – 602 105.
Nagaraj M Insitute of Agricultural Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India-602 105
Lakshmi Narayana S Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Mohan Babu University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India 517102

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55713/jmmm.v36i2.2427

Keywords:

Hemp fiber, Nanocomposites, Tensile properties, Aluminum oxide, Silicon dioxide, Magnesium oxide

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanical and microstructural attributes of epoxy composites with hemp fiber reinforcements and incorporated aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), silicon dioxide (SiO₂), and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles at different weight fractions of 0.5 wt%, 1.0 wt%, and 1.5 wt%. Nano-fillers remarkably improved the composite performance, as indicated by tensile and flexural tests conducted by ASTM D3039 and ASTM D790 standards. The composite containing 1.5 wt% Al₂O₃ outperformed other nano filled composites with a tensile strength of 64 MPa and tensile modulus of 3.6 GPa, versus 52 MPa and 3.0 GPa for the unfilled hemp/epoxy composite. In parallel, flexural strength and modulus also improved from 78 MPa and 3.5 GPa (unfilled) to 93 MPa and 4.2 GPa with 1.5 wt% Al₂O₃. SEM images corroborated the improved interfacial bonding and diminished fiber pull-out in nano-filled composites. The addition of nanofillers, mainly Al₂O₃, greatly improved the structural integrity of the hemp-based green composites, allowing for their use in sustainable load-bearing engineering applications.

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