Assessment of Glass/Drumstick Fruit Fiber (<i>Moringa oleifera</i>) Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites

Abstract

Glass fibers/drumstick fruit fibers (GF/DFF) reinforced with epoxy hybrid composites were fabricated using the rule of hybrid mixtures. Properties like impact strength, frictional coefficient, dielectric strength, and chemical resistance were studied. Treated and untreated DFF were reinforced along with GF to assess two different epoxy hybrid composites. The effect of alkali treatment on the above-mentioned properties was also studied. It is observed that the impact strength and frictional coefficient properties of the hybrid composites increased with increase in glass fiber content. Performance was elevated for alkali-treated DFF hybrid composites when compared with untreated DFF. Chemical resistance was significantly increased for all chemicals except carbon tetrachloride due to attack of chloride hydrocarbons on the cross-linking of the epoxy. Elimination of amorphous hemi-cellulose by alkali treatment improved the properties. Fiber-polymer interactions were studied by scanning electron microscopy on the cross-sections of fractured surfaces.