Physico-Mechanical Characterization of Ramie-Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Based Composites

Abstract

Ramie is a promising natural fiber that can be reinforced into polymers due to its good mechanical properties, light weight, easy availability, non-reactiveness, eco-friendliness and low cost. The present research focuses on developing a new class of polymer composites with woven ramie fibre mats reinforced in epoxy resin. These multi-layered composites are fabricated using conventional hand layup method. The cured composite samples are subjected to various physical, and mechanical characterization tests. Properties such as composite density, void content, tensile strength, flexural strength, impact and inter-laminar shear strength, micro-hardness etc. are evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the shape, size and distribution pattern of the filler particles in the composites. The mechanical properties are found to be improving with increase in fiber content. However, in case of the impact strength, a decreasing trend is noticed. This work suggests that successful fabrication of natural fibre composites is possible and that most of the mechanical properties improve with increase in the fiber content in the composite.