Influence of powdered bamboo filler content on the tensile strength and fatigue life of epoxy composites

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of reinforcing powdered bamboo filler (PBF) on the mechanical and fatigue properties of epoxy-based polymer composites, with a focus on balancing void content and tensile strength. Epoxy composites were fabricated by incorporating varying content of...

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Main Authors: Chaiki Malakar, Hrishikesh Dutta, Sumit Bhowmik, Ravivarman R, Mridusmita Roy Choudhury
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:Materials Research Express
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/adef9e
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author Chaiki Malakar
Hrishikesh Dutta
Sumit Bhowmik
Ravivarman R
Mridusmita Roy Choudhury
author_facet Chaiki Malakar
Hrishikesh Dutta
Sumit Bhowmik
Ravivarman R
Mridusmita Roy Choudhury
author_sort Chaiki Malakar
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of reinforcing powdered bamboo filler (PBF) on the mechanical and fatigue properties of epoxy-based polymer composites, with a focus on balancing void content and tensile strength. Epoxy composites were fabricated by incorporating varying content of PBF (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5% by weight) using casting process, at room temperature (32 °C–34 °C) for 24–48 h. The prepared samples were subjected to mechanical testing (tensile strength), fatigue analysis, void content evaluation, and microstructural examination to assess the effects of filler concentration. The specimen with 12.5% PBF exhibited the highest void content (7.75%), while the neat epoxy sample showed the lowest (3.24%). An increasing trend in tensile strength was observed with higher PBF content, peaking at 24.172 MPa for the 12.5% PBF composite. Fatigue resistance improved with filler content; notably, the composite with 10% PBF endured over 10 ^6 fatigue cycles. Microstructural analysis revealed noticeable agglomeration of PBF particles in samples with filler content above 10%. The results suggest that incorporating powdered bamboo filler into epoxy composites can significantly enhance mechanical and fatigue properties, particularly up to a 10% filler concentration. However, excessive filler loading (beyond 10%) may lead to particle agglomeration and increased void content, which could negatively impact performance. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing natural filler content in sustainable composite material design. The noted enhancements in tensile strength and fatigue life indicate that these composites may be appropriate for lightweight structural applications, especially in non-load-bearing scenarios.
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spelling doaj-art-477f4768799d40829728db0737d4d2b22025-08-20T02:50:05ZengIOP PublishingMaterials Research Express2053-15912025-01-0112707530510.1088/2053-1591/adef9eInfluence of powdered bamboo filler content on the tensile strength and fatigue life of epoxy compositesChaiki Malakar0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9640-2631Hrishikesh Dutta1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9226-4040Sumit Bhowmik2Ravivarman R3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4199-6230Mridusmita Roy Choudhury4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3565-0914Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Agartala , IndiaCenter for Additive Manufacturing, Chennai Institute of Technology , Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Silchar , IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Agartala , IndiaDepartment of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology Bengaluru , Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, IndiaThe aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of reinforcing powdered bamboo filler (PBF) on the mechanical and fatigue properties of epoxy-based polymer composites, with a focus on balancing void content and tensile strength. Epoxy composites were fabricated by incorporating varying content of PBF (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5% by weight) using casting process, at room temperature (32 °C–34 °C) for 24–48 h. The prepared samples were subjected to mechanical testing (tensile strength), fatigue analysis, void content evaluation, and microstructural examination to assess the effects of filler concentration. The specimen with 12.5% PBF exhibited the highest void content (7.75%), while the neat epoxy sample showed the lowest (3.24%). An increasing trend in tensile strength was observed with higher PBF content, peaking at 24.172 MPa for the 12.5% PBF composite. Fatigue resistance improved with filler content; notably, the composite with 10% PBF endured over 10 ^6 fatigue cycles. Microstructural analysis revealed noticeable agglomeration of PBF particles in samples with filler content above 10%. The results suggest that incorporating powdered bamboo filler into epoxy composites can significantly enhance mechanical and fatigue properties, particularly up to a 10% filler concentration. However, excessive filler loading (beyond 10%) may lead to particle agglomeration and increased void content, which could negatively impact performance. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing natural filler content in sustainable composite material design. The noted enhancements in tensile strength and fatigue life indicate that these composites may be appropriate for lightweight structural applications, especially in non-load-bearing scenarios.https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/adef9epolymer compositepowdered bamboo fillertensile strengthfatigue lifeagglomerationepoxy matrix
spellingShingle Chaiki Malakar
Hrishikesh Dutta
Sumit Bhowmik
Ravivarman R
Mridusmita Roy Choudhury
Influence of powdered bamboo filler content on the tensile strength and fatigue life of epoxy composites
Materials Research Express
polymer composite
powdered bamboo filler
tensile strength
fatigue life
agglomeration
epoxy matrix
title Influence of powdered bamboo filler content on the tensile strength and fatigue life of epoxy composites
title_full Influence of powdered bamboo filler content on the tensile strength and fatigue life of epoxy composites
title_fullStr Influence of powdered bamboo filler content on the tensile strength and fatigue life of epoxy composites
title_full_unstemmed Influence of powdered bamboo filler content on the tensile strength and fatigue life of epoxy composites
title_short Influence of powdered bamboo filler content on the tensile strength and fatigue life of epoxy composites
title_sort influence of powdered bamboo filler content on the tensile strength and fatigue life of epoxy composites
topic polymer composite
powdered bamboo filler
tensile strength
fatigue life
agglomeration
epoxy matrix
url https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/adef9e
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AT sumitbhowmik influenceofpowderedbamboofillercontentonthetensilestrengthandfatiguelifeofepoxycomposites
AT ravivarmanr influenceofpowderedbamboofillercontentonthetensilestrengthandfatiguelifeofepoxycomposites
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