Effect of bio-waste conch filler addition on mechanical performance of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy polymer composite

Abstract In this, the effect of conch shell particles on mechanical performance of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite was investigated. The GFRP composites were prepared using hand layup method. The conch particles were added in the incremental levels of 0, 25, 35, 45, and 55 wt.% to GFRP composites. The C–H stretching vibration and aliphatic amine groups in conch-filled composites confirmed the dispersion of conch particles. The mechanical performance of GFRP composites was evaluated by impact strength, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), and fatigue strength tests. The GFRP composites fabricated using 35 wt.% of conch shell particles showed higher impact toughness of 35 J in presence of centered notch compared to GFRP composites developed without conch shell particles that showed impact toughness of 13 J. The ILSS of GFRP composites drops by the addition of conch shell particles. The GFRP composites fabricated using 35 wt.% of conch shell particles showed 26.21 % reduced ILSS compared to the GFRP composites developed without conch shell particles. The GFRP composites fabricated using 45 wt.% of conch shell particles exhibited fatigue life of 10,093 cycles. These results suggest that conch filler – GFRP composites can be used for lightweight applications, which are cost-effective and ecofriendly.