<scp>MWCNTs</scp> Modified Epoxy Composites Reinforced With Kapok Fiber: Mechanical and Vibrational Study for Automotive Applications

ABSTRACT This study investigates the mechanical and vibrational properties of multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)‐filled epoxy composites reinforced with kapok fiber (KF) for potential automotive applications. The epoxy matrix is modified with varying MWCNT contents (0%, 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, and 0.7% by weight) and reinforced with KF. The results demonstrated that 0.5 wt% MWCNT loading with KF/epoxy composites increases the tensile strength by 73% and tensile modulus by 159%. Fracture surface analysis of the tensile‐loaded composite specimens indicates that MWCNTs reduce microvoid content, crack propagation, and delamination, leading to a more compact and reinforced structure. The experimental modal analysis (EMA) of MWCNT‐incorporated kapok fiber composite plates was conducted using an impact hammer (Brüel &amp; Kjær, 2302‐50) to investigate the natural frequencies, and the same are validated through numerical results obtained from FE software ABAQUS. The analysis reveals that incorporating 0.5 wt% of MWCNTs into the Kapok/epoxy composite enhances the first and second natural frequencies by 24.20% and 36.36% under CFFF boundary conditions, and by 32.24% and 30.38% under CCCC boundary conditions, respectively, compared to the neat composite. These findings suggest that the proposed composites hold promise for lightweight, high‐performance automotive applications.