Physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of Al₂O₃/SiO₂ infused jute/glass fiber resin composite materials in relation to viscosity

Abstract Jute/glass fibers epoxy composites are significantly used in construction, automotive, aerospace, and wind turbine industries. In this work, jute/glass fibers epoxy composites reinforced with two different types of filler such as the Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ particles at different weight rations (5, 10, and 15 gm) were investigated in relation to the viscosity. The composite samples required for various tests were fabricated in conventional hand lay‐up method. Physical, thermal stability, and mechanical properties such as tensile, bending and modulus of elasticity, and viscosity tests were conducted for the fabricated composites and the effect of reinforced materials and their dispersion competency was investigated through the assessment of their microstructure with SEM, XRD, FTIR, UV, and TGA/DSC. From the results, fabricated composites exhibit linear behavior and the maximum tensile strength were found 113.438 MPa for S2 without inclusion of particles and S4 with inclusion of Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ exhibited higher elongation 12.06%. The viscosity of the epoxy matrix showed that viscosity is increased significantly as the inclusion of the Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ particles volume are increased. The principal weight loss takes place at 336 to 338°C, which associated weight losses were 76% for S3, 68% for S4, and 67% for S6. Jute agglomerated orientation, some void, fracture behavior, and crack have been identified, caused by lack of fiber/matrix adhesion. FTIR results show that N‐H, asymmetric stretching Si‐O‐Si, Si‐O‐C and Si‐OH bonds, C‐C stretches, C‐O bond and Al‐O‐H symmetric bonding were identified. UV analysis identified different peaks which are 254.42, 329.06, 413.5, and 473.73 nm.