Mechanical Properties of Granite / Pulverized Coconut Shell Particulate Hybrid Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Abstract

Mechanical properties of particulate granite and pulverized coconut shell hybrid reinforced epoxy composites were studied in this research, with the aim of converting agro-waste and natural occurring element to develop a new composite material for engineering applications. The stir cast method was used to produce the composites. The hybrid composites were developed by adding varying weight percentage of fine granite/coconut shell particles as reinforcement to epoxy matrix and the effect of the particles on the mechanical properties of the composite produced was investigated. The result revealed that the tensile strength ranges between 14.44 – 22.78 MPa, tensile modulus ranges between 300.52 – 718.47 MPa, flexural strength and flexural modulus varies between 43.03 – 77.19 MPa and 1009.35 – 1820.81 MPa, respectively; impact strength varies between 33 – 54 Joules and the hardness varies between 30.14 - 46.14 HRC. Finally, from the investigation, it is evident that the selection of percentage of filler content suitable for the polymer composite depends on the required properties for various engineering applications.