An Experimental and Numerical Approach of Polymer Composites Based on Jute-Bamboo Natural Fiber

Due to the excellent mechanical properties, availability, and low cost, natural fiber is considered as potential reinforcement to make composite for many applications. In this study, the mechanical properties of jute-bamboo natural fiber based polymer composites are investigated both experimentally and numerically. Another attempt has been made to fabricate sports and safety equipment such as skateboards and helmets and investigated its mechanical performances. The materials were chosen epoxy resin as the matrix and woven jute and bamboo fiber as reinforcement. Hand layup techniques were used to fabricate the composites. The composites thus made were tested for their mechanical properties like the tensile test, flexural test, and impact test. Experimental results indicated that by incorporating the optimum amount of jute and bamboo fibers, the overall strength of the composite can be increased. Tensile strength; flexural strength and impact strength of composite sample JB31 are found to be higher 49.89 MPa, 45.43 MPa, and 132 J/m2 respectively. Based on the test results and cost analysis, these composites can be used as the replacement of traditional material for making skateboards and safety helmets. A numerical procedure based on 3D modeling was carried out to evaluate the overall behavior of these composites. Modeling is carried out in Solid works and imported to ANSYS software. The analysis results were found to be closer to the experimental results.