INVESTIGATION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF A NOVEL LOTUS FIBRE REINFORCED EPOXY COMPOSITES

The focus of this study is to evaluate and compare the mechanical properties, namely tensile and bending strength of natural fibre composites. The natural fibre chosen for the current investigation was lotus fibre. Different fibre orientations like uniaxial, biaxial and crisscross orientations were employed and the results were compared. The introduction of carbon fibre as an intermediate layer and its influence on the mechanical properties was also evaluated. Fibres are alkaline treated in NaOH solution to get better fibre-matrix adhesion. The moulds for tensile and flexural testing were prepared according to the ASTM standards and the traditional hand lay-up method was used for the fabrication of composites. The results showed that of all the fibre orientations, the uniaxial orientation has given better flexural and tensile strengths.