EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND ATOMIC FORCE MICROSTRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF SISAL FIBER, LUFFA FIBER AND COCONUT SHELL POWDER REINFORCED EPOXY <i>HYBRID COMPOSITES</i>

This research paper aims to uncover the mechanical properties of composite materials derived from sustainable luffa and sisal fibers, in conjunction with coconut shell powder and epoxy resins. These exceptional fibers possess remarkable mechanical strength, rendering them suitable for a diverse array of engineering applications spanning the automotive and aerospace sectors. To modify their characteristics, the luffa and sisal fibers undergo an alkaline treatment (NaOH) lasting 3[Formula: see text]h. Subsequently, laminate composites are created through a compression molding process whereby heat and pressure are applied to mold solid structures out of these fibers placed within a mold. The composites have been formulated in five unique compositions by varying the weight percentage (wt.%) of luffa and sisal fibers that had undergone chemical treatment to be converted into isolates with a density ranging between 40[Formula: see text]wt.% and 90[Formula: see text]wt.%. Diazole and epoxy resin, along with a hardener kept at a constant of 60[Formula: see text]wt.%, were incorporated in a ratio of 40:60. The development of the composite’s mechanical characteristics necessitates strong interface interaction between the fibers and matrix. Intensive tests were conducted on all five samples, which featured different compositions, to evaluate their ultimate tensile strength (UTS), flexural strength and fatigue test results. The outcomes of this analysis exhibit the varying accomplishments attained via diverse compositions. The remarkable enhancements in UTS and flexural strength are shown in sample 3, while only displaying minor advancements in impact resistance. The surface layout, topography and real-space scrutiny of a specimen subjected to tensile testing are microscopically scrutinized to crystallographically ascertain the surface microstructure as observed in the AFM microstructural analysis.