Processing and Characterization of Areca and Waste Nylon Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Polypropylene Composites

The growing global environmental concern has increased the attention of world's scientific community towards natural fiber reinforced eco-composites. Hybridization of natural fiber with waste synthetic fiber improves the property of the composites as well as provides a better solution to waste management issues. Our Present research investigates the mechanical properties of layered areca and waste nylon fiber reinforced hybrid polypropylene (PP) composites. Composites were manufactured using hot press machine at a constant fiber loading of 10 wt% (areca: nylon=1:1), reinforcing the fibers into 2, 3 and 4 distinct layers. Tensile, flexure, hardness tests and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis were conducted for the characterization of the composites. Tensile test of composite showed an increasing trend of tensile strength and Young's modulus with increase in number of fiber layers. Similar trend was also observed in case of the flexural strength, flexural modulus and hardness values measurement. The surface morphologies of the tensile fracture surfaces of the composites were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The thermal stability of the composites were recorded using Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA).