Hybrid polymeric composites are gaining important consideration with versatile applications due to their good mechanical properties. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the hybridization effects of different laminate stacking sequence involving areca sheath fiber/jute fiber/glass-woven fabric through the study of mechanical properties of four different resulting composites. The fibers were alkali-treated and were used in composites fabrication that was done using the hand lay-up method. This assessment of mechanical properties and study of fractured surfaces indicated a significant improvement in mechanical properties of the composites with jute fiber as intermittent layers, areca sheath fiber as a core layer, and glass fabrics as skin layer reinforced epoxy composites. An attempt to prove the application suitability of “L” frame for flower stand application was fabricated using the best mechanical behavior performer composite, and the ANSYS (deformation) analysis was also performed.

The current study deals with the effective usage of Portunus sanguinolentus shell, which is a solid waste in the seafood industry. This Portunus sanguinolentus shell waste was powdered and used as untreated fillers in jute fabrics reinforced epoxy composites. Then Portunus sanguinolentus shell waste powder was treated with chemicals to perform fat removal, deproteination, decarbonization and deacetylation to obtain treated Portunus sanguinolentus shell filler. Three different composites were developed with traditional hand layup process consisting of four layers jute fabrics that were filled with 10 wt% untreated Portunus sanguinolentus shell filler, chemical treated 10 wt% Portunus sanguinolentus shell filler and unfilled one. The thermo-mechanical and fracture morphologies were assessed by tensile, flexural, compression, shear, impact, hardness thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The results showed an increase in the thermo-mechanical property of chemical-treated Portunus sanguinolentus shell powder-filled jute fabrics-based epoxy composite. This phenomenon is due to the increase in the chitosan, mineral contents and decrease in the organic content in the Portunus sanguinolentus shell powder due to chemical treatment, thus enhancing the bonding between the filler and fiber matrix with reduction of the void. A showcase stand was developed with the best performer, as an attempt in the perfection of application. The application is then analyzed using ANSYS to predict the deformation behavior when subjected to 0.25 kg, 0.5 kg and 1 kg loads.

In recent years, natural fiber and its composites have attracted researchers due to environmental awareness. It is essential to identify new cellulose fibers for the potential polymer reinforcement. The current study deals with the investigation of natural cellulosic fibers extracted from the stem of Leucas aspera plants. The obtained fibers were treated with silane for effective use in composite applications. The physical, chemical, crystallinity, thermal stability, and morphological characteristics were analyzed for both untreated and silane-treated Leucas aspera fibers using chemical analysis, X-Ray diffraction test, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and SEM images. The results showed that silane treatment removed excess lignin, wax and hemicellulose contents from Leucas aspera fibers and helped to increase its bonding characteristics with the matrix in composite applications leading to enhanced results compared to the untreated samples. There was a 2.1 times increase in crystalline index and better thermal stability with a char residue of 39%. To prove the applications' suitability, epoxy composites and friction composites in the form of brake pads were developed and analyzed for their mechanical performance as per ASTM and standard industrial practice. Increase in ultimate tensile strength was 56 MPa for silane-treated Leucas aspera fiber based epoxy composites while it was 43 MPa compared to its untreated samples. In brake pads, hardness was 93 for silane-treated LA fiber-based brake pads and 87 for the untreated.