Load Bearing Properties of Sand Blasted SS304 Wire-Mesh and Silane-treated Pineapple/flax-Reinforced Si2N2O Modified Epoxy Resin Composites
摘要
Polymer composite materials are widely utilized in various industrial applications, due to their less dense, corrosion resistance, and better strength features. This work synthesized and analysed sandblasted SS304 wire mesh and silane-treated pineapple/flax fiber-reinforced Si2N2O modified epoxy composites, focusing on their mechanical and low-velocity impact behaviour. The unique integration of surface-treated metallic mesh, natural fibers, and ceramic-modified resin has not been previously reported and which makes the study novel. This combination enhances interfacial bonding and load-bearing capacity, offering an eco-efficient, high-strength material suitable for advanced structural applications. Among the tested composites, TFS3 (40 vol% fiber, 10 vol% wire mesh, 2.5 vol% filler) exhibited superior mechanical properties, achieving tensile strength of 241.6 MPa, flexural strength of 290 MPa, impact energy of 4.9 J, and compression strength of 59 MPa. Additionally, TFS3 demonstrated excellent impact absorption, with energy absorption of 39 J at 3.4 mm deflection and duration of 11.5 ms at 10.8 J. This remarkable performance is attributed to enhanced bonding and interfacial adhesion due to the uniform dispersion of fillers, leading to improved strength, stability, and durability. On the other hand, the TFS4 composite with 3.5 vol% filler content exhibited the highest Shore D hardness of 99. Despite agglomeration, the scattered particles enhanced stiffness and load-bearing capacity, thereby increasing hardness. Furthermore, SEM analysis provided valuable insights into the composites’ morphology and topology, highlighting fiber bonding, filler dispersion, and agglomeration. Owing to their superior mechanical and impact properties, it could potentially utilize for applications such as biomedical devices, packaging, drones, and marine structures such as boat hulls and decks.