Effects of Fiber Content on the Mechanical Properties of Betel Nut Epoxy Composites: An Experimental and Analytical Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38032/scse.2025.3.31Keywords:
Betel nut fiber, Epoxy composite, Fiber content, Natural fiber-reinforced composites, Lightweight applicationsAbstract
This study investigates the mechanical properties of betel nut fiber-reinforced epoxy composites, focusing on the impact of different fiber contents on the composite's performance. The primary objectives are to fabricate betel nut fiber composites with varying fiber percentages (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) and analyze their mechanical properties through experimental and analytical methods. The study aims to assess how fiber content influences tensile strength, impact strength, hardness, Young’s modulus, and density. The methodology involves chemically treating the betel nut fibers with NaOH to enhance bonding with the epoxy matrix, followed by the fabrication of composites using the hand lay-up method. Four different fiber content specimens were produced and tested. Mechanical tests such as tensile testing (using a Universal Testing Machine), impact testing (using a Pendulum Impact Tester), and hardness testing (using a Rockwell Hardness Tester) were conducted to evaluate the performance of the composites. The results show that the composite with 10% fiber content (C10) displayed the highest tensile strength of 20.38 MPa, while the composite with 20% fiber content (C20) demonstrated the highest impact strength at 16.81 J/cm². However, hardness decreased as fiber content increased, with the 5% fiber composite (C05) exhibiting the highest hardness value of 51 HBL. Both Young’s modulus and density increased with higher fiber content. In conclusion, the study finds that betel nut fibers positively influence the mechanical properties of epoxy composites. The 10% fiber content composite provides an optimal balance of strength and flexibility, making it suitable for lightweight structural applications. This research highlights the potential of using natural fibers like betel nut in sustainable composite materials, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fibers.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmed Sakib, Abdullah Nayeem, Khowshik Dey, Al Imran Hasan, Rahatul Islam (Author)
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