International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890 (online),2347-5013(print) Volume No.6, Issue No.1, pp :01-06 1 Jan. 2017 IJER@2017 Page 1 Physical, Mechanical and Water Absorption Behavior of Bi-Directional Jute/Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites J Dehury 1 , J R Mohanty 1* , S Biswas 2 , V Bhagat 2 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering 1 VSSUT, Burla, India, 768018 ; 2 NIT, Rourkela, India, 769008 Corresponding Email: guddy95@gmail.com Abstract: In the present work, effect of fiber loadings and orientations on the physical, mechanical and water absorption behaviour of jute/glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites have been studied. From the studies of different properties it has been observed that the maximum values of hardness, flexural and inter-laminar shear strengths are obtained for composites reinforced with 40 wt% fiber loading and at 30° fiber orientation whereas, the maximum tensile strength is observed for composites with 30 wt% of fiber loading and at 0 fiber orientation. The water absorption rate increases with increase in fiber loading irrespective of fiber orientation. Keywords: Natural fiber, jute/glass fiber, epoxy, inter- laminar strength, scanning electron microscopy I. Introduction Now-a-days global warming is a major environmental crisis and main focus area for the international community. Because of this, the material designers are constantly searching for new materials which are environmental friendly, sustainable, biodegradable, light weight with high specific properties and above all low cost. Composites, reinforced with natural fibers are proved to be the best alternatives compared to their synthetic counterpart that meet the above requirements. However, composite made of the same reinforcing material system may not give better results as it undergoes different loading conditions during the service life. For this purpose, hybrid composite is the best solution for such applications. A fiber reinforced hybrid composite is a combination of two or more different types of fiber in which one type of fiber balance the deficiency of other. The purpose of hybridization is to design a new composite material that will retain the advantages of its constituents providing specific application where single fiber composite fails. Further, it gives flexibility to the design engineers to tailor the material properties according to the requirements. Natural fiber sometimes combines with stronger and more corrosion-resistant synthetic fiber to produce hybrid composite which can improve the strength, stiffness and also moisture resistant property of the composite. Till date, few studies 1-7 on hybrid composites reinforced with either natural fiber with synthetic fiber combination or natural with natural fiber have been done to analyze various properties to be fit for different applications. Ashmed et al. (Ashmed et al., 2007) have investigated the elastic properties and notch sensitivity of untreated woven jute and jute/glass fabric reinforced polyester hybrid composites, analytically and experimentally. They have observed that the jute composites exhibited higher notch sensitivity than jute/glass hybrid composites. Dixit et al. (Dixit et al., 2012) have reported a remarkable improvement in the tensile and flexural properties of hybrid composites compared to the un-hybrid composites. Experimental investigation carried out by Mishra et al. (Mishra et al., 2003) depicts that addition of quite small amount of glass fiber to the pineapple leaf fiber and sisal fiber-reinforced in polyester matrix improves the mechanical properties of the resulting composites. Jawaid et al. (Jawaid et al., 2013) have studied the mechanical behaviour of hybrid composites based on jute and oil palm fiber. It has been found that the use of hybrid system is effective in increasing the tensile and dynamic mechanical properties of the oil palm-epoxy composite because of enhanced fiber/matrix interface bonding. Verma et al. (Verma et al., 1989) have examined the mechanical properties of jute/glass fiber hybrid composites. The jute fabrics have been modified by treatment with different chemicals. It has been observed that titanate treatment of jute fabric results in enhanced performance characteristics and mechanical properties of hybrid composites. Ahmed et al. (Ahmed et al., 2008) have experimentally investigated the effect of stacking sequence on mechanical properties of woven jute and glass fabric reinforced polyester hybrid composites. They have observed that the layering sequence has larger effect on the flexural and inter-laminar shear properties than tensile properties. On comparing the overall properties of the laminates it has been concluded that the hybrid laminates with two extreme glass plies on both sides has the optimum combination with a good balance between the properties and the cost. Sreekala et al. (Sreekala et al., 2002) have found that incorporation of small volume fraction of glass fiber in composites results in enhanced tensile and flexural properties. The works done so far on various hybrid composites lack the effect of various properties on fiber orientations as well as fiber loadings. The aim of the present work is to study the effects of fiber loadings and orientations on physical, mechanical and water absorption behaviour of jute/glass fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composite. Further, the fracture behavior of the composite has been analyzed with the help of scanning electron microscope (SEM). II. Experimentation Materials The woven jute fabric and the plain weave E-glass fabric (bi-directional) have been purchased from Shakti glass and Traders, Chennai, India. The matrix system consists of epoxy LY556 having density 1.12-1.18 g/cm 3 and hardener HY951 having density 0.96-0.98 g/cm 3 both have been procured from Naphtha resins and chemicals Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India.