Tensile Properties and Characterization of Tamarind Powder Reinforced Epoxy-Jute Fiber Hybrid Polymer Composites

The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of tamarind seed powder on the tensile properties of epoxy-jute fiber hybrid polymer composite. Interfacial adhesion and elemental distribution of the prepared composite specimen were also studied. In order to do so, epoxy-jute fiber polymer composite reinforced by tamarind seed particle was prepared using hand layup method. Five different compositions of composites were prepared by varying tamarind seed particles as 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% respectively. In this research, total 6 layers of jute fiber mat were used to prepare each type of composite specimen. Tensile tests were carried out using a universal testing machine at a cross-head speed of 2 mm/min for all types of composite specimens. The obtained results showed that tensile properties such as yield strength, tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation at break varied significantly for each type specimen depending on the percentage reinforcement of tamarind powder. From the microstructural characterization viewpoint, it was evident that very good interfacial bonding between epoxy matrix and jute fiber was formed for each type composite specimen. It was also observed that tamarind particles were almost uniformly distributed within the epoxy-jute fiber composite structure which means that preparations of all types composite specimens were well executed. In addition, elemental analysis of the composite specimen showed the weight percentages of different components to identify the presence of different chemical elements in the composite structure.