Characterization and Buckling Analysis of Epoxy-E-Glass-Fish-Scale (EGF) Hybrid Composite

Solid wastes produced from daily fish market is generally thrown in open air in developing countries like India which not only creates air pollution but also contaminates water sources and creates serious health issues. However, the fish scale from these solid wastes can be used as reinforcement to prepare polymeric composites characterized by their low cost, tailored strength, environmental-friendly, and easily availability. The novelty of this work is not only fish-scale powder along with glass-fibre in epoxy is used to prepare a hybrid composite from solid waste. But also, the microanalysis is conducted ANSYS ACP to evaluate the engineering constants along with theory of the proposed material combinations to determine buckling strength. Here, four kind of specimens such as Sample 1 with 100% epoxy, Sample 2 with 50% epoxy and glass fibre each, Sample 3 with 50% epoxy, 45% glass fibre, and 5% fish-scale, and Sample 4 with 95% epoxy and 5% fish-scale are made through hand layup process and fundamental material tests and thermal stability analysis were performed according to ASTM standards. It is witnessed that tensile, flexural and impact strength of samples (Sample 3) by addition of 5% of fish-scale powder is increased by 11.2%, 1.87% and 7.1% than glass-fibre and epoxy composite (Sample 2). However, the hardness is slightly decreased and samples becomes more hydroponic with negligible effect on thermal stability. Further, computational results show buckling strength is also affected by addition of fish-scale powder.