Development and Performance Evaluation of Water Hyacinth and Coir Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites for Engineering Application

As part of the present study, epoxy matrix hybrid composites were manufactured with water hyacinth (WHF) and coir fiber (CF) as reinforcing elements. Researching potential commercial engineering applications of NF reinforced polymer composites is the primary goal of this research work. Tensile strength (TS), Hardness, flexural strength (FS), impact resistance (IS), and compressive strength (CS) were the mechanical parameters that were measured. The results repeatedly demonstrated that hybrid composites outperformed their single-fiber counterparts. Sample S7 exhibited exceptional properties with a tensile modulus (TM) of 336.82 MPa and a TS of 40.45 MPa. Furthermore, a greater FS of 46.33 MPa and a flexural modulus (FM) of 344.28 MPa are disclosed. Unexpectedly high values for modulus and CS were 580.47 MPa and 90.37 MPa, respectively. Additionally, this material exhibited a hardness value of 46.85 HV and an IS of 51.17 kJ/m2. The results show that the mechanical properties are improved when WHF and CF fibers are combined with an epoxy matrix, making this material ideal for non-structural applications.