Design and characterization of natural fiber reinforced cotton-epoxy composites

Abstract This research paper focuses on the design and fabrication of natural cotton epoxy composites. By combining natural cotton fibers with epoxy resin, the study aims to develop composite materials with desirable mechanical properties. To evaluate their performance, the composites were subjected to three-point bending tests, which revealed an average flexural strength of 50 MPa and a flexural modulus of 3.8 GPa, highlighting the material’s capacity to bear bending loads. The bending tests provided insights into the composite’s response to flexural loads, including its strength, stiffness, and failure mechanisms. Post-test analysis using an optical microscope revealed that the primary failure modes included delamination and fiber breakage. Delamination, characterized by the separation of layers within the composite, and fiber breakage, caused by the fibers’ inability to withstand stress exceeding their tensile strength of approximately 300 MPa, led to crack propagation through the material. These findings indicate that the composite's failure was primarily driven by these mechanisms. This study provides valuable insights into improving the composite's design and enhancing its mechanical properties, contributing to the broader understanding of natural fiber-reinforced composites and their behavior under mechanical stress.