EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE GASKET USING A COMBINATION OF PLANTAIN AND COCONUT FIBERS

Abstract

A gasket is a compressible material or a blend of materials made from metals, non-metals, polymer or hybrid gaskets consisting of a combination of metallic and non-metallic materials. They are generally used in areas where high weight/temperature, low and high pressure and sealing at low torque applications are required. It must be chemically very stable, have excellent strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and have good pressure transmitting efficiency and good thermal stability coupled with a better sealing performance. Three different gasket compositions were made from coconut fibre, plantain fibre, epoxy, and mica. All paper samples were subjected to hardness, tensile strength, oil absorption, water absorption, and heat resistance tests, and the results were compared to BonTex 247 paper (control). Samples were graded based on how well they passed the tests and the mean of these samples was calculated. The results showed that sample A with 30% Coconut fibre, 30% Plantain fibre, 30% hardener and 10% binder had excellent hardness, water absorption, and oil absorption properties. The thermal properties were within the considerable limits of good gasket material. Sample B with 40% Coconut fibre, 30% Plantain fibre, 20% hardener and 10% binder possessed the best tensile properties.