Investigation on Tensile Strength of Water Hyacinth - Coconut Shell Powder Reinforced Hybrid Eco Composite

Abstract:

The objective of this investigation is to fabricate a natural material based composite and study its tensile strength. The water hyacinth is a plant which is considered as an unwanted wild growth which is detrimental to the water bodies. It affects the oxygen and nutrients content of the fresh and sewage water and also hampers the flow of the water, thus leading to stagnation and flooding. In this method the water hyacinth was harvested and used as a reinforcing fibre in its untreated condition [1]. Our nation having a long sea shore is blessed with coconut trees. All the parts of the coconut tree are being used for various purposes [2-4]. Based on literature 15% by weight of powdered coconut shell was used as particulate reinforcement in this study [5, 6]. Hence this experimental work is an effort to fabricate a composite using the waste water hyacinth fibres and the coconut shell powder using an epoxy resin matrix through hand layup technique and subjected to tensile loading. This test results show good ultimate tensile strength.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 766-767)
• Pages: 57-62
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.766-767.57
• Online since: June 2015
• Authors: D. Kumaravel*, P. Gopal, V.K. Bupesh Raja
• Keywords: Coconut Shell Powder, Epoxy, Reinforcement, Tensile Strength, Water Hyacinth

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