Rao and Kumar 604 International Journal on Emerging Technologies (Special Issue NCETST-2017) 8(1): 604-608(2017) (Published by Research Trend, Website: www.researchtrend.net) ISSN No. (Print) : 0975-8364 ISSN No. (Online) : 2249-3255 Mechanical Behaviour of Hybrid Bio-composite Reinforced with Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Shell Particle and Coconut Fibre Dinesh Kumar Rao 1 and Sanjeev Kumar 2 1 Mechanical Engineering Department, Amrapali Institute of Technology and Sciences, Haldwani Uttatakhand Technical University Dehradun-263139 (INDIA) 2 Associate Professor, Amrapali Institute of Technology and Sciences, Haldwani Uttatakhand Technical University Dehradun-263139 (INDIA) ABSTRACT: In this paper, walnut shell particle and coconut fibre are developed. The suitability of walnut particle and coconut fibre as a biocomposite reinforcing material was investigated. 20 wt% of walnut shell particle of size 1.618 m μ - 2.685 m μ and 10 wt% of coconut fibre of length 2-3 mm were mixed in epoxy CY 230 resin for preparation of hybrid biocomposite. The tensile properties and flexural test of hybrid biocomposite reinforced with walnut shell particle and coconut fibre were evaluated and analysed. Scanning electro microscopy was employed to characterize the tensile properties and fracture behaviour of biocomposite. The results show that ultimate strength, modulus of elasticity and yield strength of biocomposite material are about 54.3%, 86.4% and 88.3% of pure epoxy resin respectively. The compressive ultimate strength of biocomposite is 44.45 MPa as compared to 55.16 MPa of epoxy resin. This results reveals that the addition of 20 wt% walnut particles and 10 wt% coconut fibres yield better ultimate strength with approximately 80.58% of pure epoxy. The flexural modulus of biocomposite is 1706.15 MPa which is about 86.3% of pure epoxy. The flexural strength of biocomposite is 34.04 MPa which is about 35.7% of pure epoxy. Keywords: Bio-composites, Walnut particle, Coconut fibre, SEM. I. INTRODUCTION Bio-composite is a material formed with two or more components, combined as a macroscopic structural unit with one component as a continuous matrix, and other as reinforcements with significantly different physical or chemical properties, which remain separate and distinct on a macroscopic level within the finished structure. Normally, the matrix is the material that holds the reinforcements together and has lower strength than the reinforcements. Most commercially produced composites use a polymer matrix material called as resin solution. The optimum utilization of available natural resources is one of the major factors for the social and economical development of human being. During last few decades’ researchers [1-6] have tried to use natural resources in fibres form or particle forms as reinforcing material to produce composite boards. Lignocellulosic material provides an adequate strength with low cost, low density, eco-friendliness and non-toxic. Walnut shell is a lignocellulosic material and it has no economical value and industrial uses in india and generally discarded or uses as a fire wood substitute material. In this study the mechanical and morphological properties of walnut shell and coconut fibre reinforced biocomposite was investigated. II. MATERIAL AND METHOD In this study 20 wt % of walnut shell particles and 10 wt% of coconut fibres were added as reinforcing material in epoxy resin CY 230 and hardener HY 951. Hardener was mixed in the solution at 40 0 C which were pre heated to 100 0 C and hold for 2 hours at 100 0 C. The solution thus obtained was used to cast sheet in a mould of size 300 mm x 250 mm x 10 mm as shown in Fig. 1. After curing, the composite sheet was used for tensile test to fulfil the objectives of the present investigation. Detailed procedure of casting and curing process is described in the references [1-2]. The chemical compositions of wall nut shell and coconut fibers are shown in Table 1. Fig.1. Moulding box for pouring solution. e t