MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTURAL EVOLUTIONS OF PINEAPPLE LEAF FIBERS AND SILICA PARTICLES REINFORCED EPOXY MATRIX HYBRID COMPOSITES FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The automotive industry stands out as one of the fastest-growing sectors economically, driven by the perpetual need for safer, more economical, and environmentally friendly transportation solutions. In this work, epoxy matrix hybrid composites reinforced with pineapple leaf fiber and silica particles were developed using hand-layup technique and their mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics were evaluated to assess their suitability for automotive applications. Improvement in mechanical properties was observed in all composites until optimum point where they begin to drastically reduce with further increment in reinforcement loadings. Sample D presented the highest tensile strength and modulus of 20.28MPa and 472MPa. This was about 124% and 45.35 % increment from the neat epoxy. Neat epoxy composite reported the highest percentage of elongation of 97.09 % compared to hybrid composites. Flexural strength and modulus were highest in sample F with 4.35 MPa and 1228.28 MPa which was about 40% and 225% increment from neat epoxy composite. Impact strength and hardness was highest in sample D having 35.32J/m2 and 66. 7SD. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of fractured surface of tensile specimens showed that presence of voids, particle agglomerations, cracks, fiber pulls out and interface debonding were the major failure mechanisms observed. General improvement in mechanical properties was observed with increase in reinforcement addition