Evaluation of Thermal Stability and Thermal Properties of Neem/Banyan Reinforced Hybrid Polymer Composite

Thermal insulation materials are used to increase the efficiency of many structural and heat-resistant applications. A sawdust-filled alkali-treated Neem/Banyan hybrid composite is prepared and its behaviors of thermal stability, short-term heat resistance, thermal expansion, and thermal conductivity are examined by conducting Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and a thermal conductivity test. The hybrid composite is prepared by hand layup technique, using an epoxy matrix blended with sawdust as the matrix and varying the weight fraction of the Neem/Banyan fibers as reinforcement for fabrication of hybrid composites. The weight fractions of five composite samples of Neem/Banyan fibers are 90/45, 90/60, 45/45, 60/90, and 45/90 (in grams), respectively. The mass loss of fabricated composite laminates due to temperature has been investigated through TGA. Sample A gives an initial deformation from a mass of 11 mg to 10.9 mg at a 330 degrees C temperature and a maximum working temperature of 427 degrees C during mass at 25 % of hybrid composites. The material can withstand up to 25 % of the mass of the hybrid composite after this mass of 2.75 mg moves to degrade hybrid composites. Therefore, the percentage efficiency of the hybrid composite is 75 % of the mass, giving working conditions of hybrid composites.