Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Composites Through Hybridization with Bio-composites

This study investigates the potential of using hybrid composites for enhancing the mechanical properties of materials. Tensile, flexural, and Izod strength tests were conducted on S-Glass, woven fiber composite, and a hybrid composite made of S-Glass, woven fiber, egg shell powder, rice husk, and epoxy. Results showed that the hybrid composite exhibited a 16.5% increase in strength compared to the S-Glass, woven fiber composite. Further, the study examined the effect of different environmental conditions on the mechanical properties of the hybrid composite. The material was subjected to immersion in distilled water, salt water, and atmospheric air. Results showed that the hybrid composite exhibited greater mechanical strength when treated with salt water, with a 12.9% increase in strength compared to the distilled water immersion. Furthermore, the study found that the Young’s modulus of the hybrid composite increased by 15.5%, 19.8%, and 17.1% respectively for no water immersion, distilled water immersion, and salt water immersion. The fabrication of the hybrid composite using bio-composites such as egg shell powder and rice husk, in addition to S-Glass and woven fiber, proved to be effective in enhancing the mechanical properties of the material. The addition of Epoxy resin and hardener further strengthened the complex matrix. Overall, the results suggest that the hybrid composite has potential for use in marine and aquatic applications due to its superior performance when subjected to salt water immersion.