Effect of hybridization on physio-mechanical behavior of Vetiver and Jute fibers reinforced epoxy composites for structural applications: Studies on fabrication, physicomechanical, water-absorption, and morphological properties

Plant and animal fibers are getting recognition from researchers and academicians as a potential reinforcement for polymer composites due to their ecofriendly nature and sustainability. In the present study, the fabrication has been carried out on Jute and Vetiver fiber reinforced Epoxy composites using hand lay-up technique with a varying mass of the fibers in epoxy and matrix modifier graphite which has been fixed by weight. The mechanical (tensile, flexural and hardness test), and physical properties (water absorption [WA] and moisture content behavior) of developed composites are determined. The results obtained from performed test show that tensile strength of around 212.96 MPa was achieved for 6 wt% of Vetiver, the flexural strength of around 266.267 MPa, and the Rockwell hardness is 70.08. The WA is found maximum for Vetiver, and Jute fiber reinforced epoxy composite in the sample with 8% Vetiver and 22% of Jute fiber of composite. Scanning Electron Microscopy micrographs clearly show the incompatibility of Vetiver fiber with Epoxy matrix, easily understood with pull out of Vetiver fibers from the matrix. The continuous fiber was used which is equal to the length of the casting, therefore, even due to debonding, fracture of Vetiver fibers occurred more than pull-out.