Tensile and Hardness Property Evaluation of Kaolin- Sisal Fibre- Epoxy Composite

In this work, the tensile and hardness properties of Kaolin- sisal fibre- epoxy composite were evaluated using standard methods. Epoxy type 3354A with its hardener was mixed in the ratio 2:1. Calcined kaolin particle with average size of 35µm and 3-4mm sisal fibre were added to the epoxy matrix during the composite manufacture in a proportion of: 60/40 wt %, 60/30/10 wt %, 60/20/20 wt %, 60/10/30 wt % for matrix, fibre and Kaolin respectively. The green mixtures were poured into aluminum mould and left for 24 hrs to cure. The results showed that the addition of kaolin and sisal fibre affected mechanical properties of the epoxy resin. The maximum strain observed for each specimen after tensile tests were as follows: 12% for specimen A; 12% for specimen B; 3.9% for specimen C; 11.5% for specimen D and 6% for specimen E. The Shore D hardness values were as follows: 79.1 for specimen A (control); 55.68 for specimen B; 42.82 for specimen C; 78.7 for specimen D and 81.34 for specimen E. The hardness values was reduced from 55.68 to 42.83 and increased to 81.34. Specifically, the tensile and hardness properties increased proportionately with the fibre quantity and inversely proportional to the kaolin content. These are attributed to the level of bonding strengths between the fibre-matrix-particulate interfacial adhesions.http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v34i4.1