Evaluation of Tensile Properties of Nanoclay-Filled Madar Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Hybrid Composites

In the present work, an effort has been made to improve the mechanical properties of natural fiber-reinforced polyester composite using nanoclay. The composite specimens were prepared with varyingweight proportions of short-madar fiber in the polyester matrix from 2.5 to 15% at an interval of 2.5% without and with nanoclay of 1%. The samples were then tested for tensile properties and the results were analyzed. The results showed that the tensile strength of composite was increased with increased fiber loading up to 10%, and with further addition of fibers, there was decrease in the tensile strength. The maximum value attained for 10% fiber loading was 23.33 MPa. The tensile strength of nanoclay-filled madar fiber-reinforced composite is increased to a value of 25.16 MPa up to 10% fiber loading and then with further addition of fibers along with nanoclay, the tensile strength is reduced. It is also observed that there increase in the modulus of madar fiber composite to a value of 520.2 MPa up to fiber loading of 15% and the tensile modulus of nanofilled fiber composites is increased to a value of 460.35 MPa up to fiber loading of 15% which is 11.5% less compared to that of composite without nanoclay. It is observed that there is reduction in the percentage elongation at break for madar fiber-reinforced polyester composite with and without nanoclay filler. The drop is 43.7% in madar fiber composite and it is much higher in composite filled with nanoclay.