Study of mechanical and morphological properties of jute-tea leaf fiber reinforced hybrid composites: Effect of glass fiber hybridization L. Prabhu a,⇑ , V. Krishnaraj b , S. Sathish a , S. GokulKumar a , N. Karthi a a KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 641 407, India b PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore 641 004, India article info Article history: Received 19 August 2019 Accepted 17 September 2019 Available online xxxx Keywords: Natural fiber Epoxy resin Chemical treatment Mechanical properties Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) abstract Fiber reinforced plastic composites replace wood and metals due to their light weight, high strength to weight ratio, noncorrosive nature and stiffness. Bio based fibers are used in place of petroleum based fibers because of environmental concerns. Natural fibers exhibit low specific strength and light density, processing and recycling are simple. New materials are being developed and grow every day. The high strength, light weight and biodegradability of natural fiber composites such as sisal, jute, kenaf, snake grass and banana fiber has made polymer composites were more attractive. The fiber is subjected to chemical pretreatments using alkali treatment (mercerization). This research has created composites of glass-jute-tea leaf fiber-reinforced polymers and assessed their mechanical characteristics such as ten- sile, flexural and impact test. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is being used to evaluate the interfacial characteristics, inner cracks and inner structures of broken surfaces. The experimental results showed 10% glass fiber, 20% jute fiber and 10% tea leaf fiber produced the optimum mechanical properties and it can be alternative material for pure glass fiber reinforced polymer composite. Ó 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International conference on Materials and Manufacturing Methods. 1. Introduction The natural fibers are light weight, least cost, less density, better specific modulus properties, non-toxic, non-abrasive to the pro- duct involved, non-irritant, reduces the energy consumption, not affecting the wear of tool, low health issues, easy processing and absorbing CO 2 during their growth, renewability, recyclability, and bio–degradability. These fiber reinforced composites are suit- able for applications in sports, aerospace, aviation, leisure, packag- ing and automobile industries [1]. Many researchers have already worked with natural fibers to replace some of the parts or struc- tures of the vehicles; this is one driving factor to the automotive industries. The experiment on the natural fibers/castor oil polyur- ethane material has been carried out for the fractures toughness, and the result proved the outstanding fracture toughness by using the sisal fiber [2]. Various surface treatments like alkaline, acetyla- tion, silane treatment, benzoyl chloride, potassium permanganate solution lead to the improvement of strength due increase in mechanical interfacial bonding. It is visibly clear that, there is vibrant amount of elevation in the tensile modulus and strength with respect to increase in fiber weight to particular amount [3]. The natural fibers are inexpensive and not heavier but it poses less mechanical properties while comparing with synthetic fibers. So, instead of using the fibers alone, the hybrid composition is feasible to use and inexpensive. To find out the solution to this issue, the hybrid composites have been developed and tested by applying it on the curved pipes [4]. The mechanical performances of jute-sisal-glass fiber reinforced hybrid thermosettic polyester composites have been studied. The outcome showed that, jute-GFRP, jute-sisal-GFRP, sisal-GFRP composites produced the maximum tensile, flexural and impact strength respectively [5]. By adding glass fiber into hemp and PP matrix unveiled significant improvement in the water resisting and thermal behaviours [6]. The hybridization of materials using in the combination of GFRP/sisal/jute composites is friendly to the user and environment, as well possess good property in elasticity [7,8]. The mechanical characteristics of jute and sisal fiber with glass fiber composites have been studied and found that there is a effective elevation in their perspectives that include flexural, tensile and impact strength https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2019.09.132 2214-7853/Ó 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International conference on Materials and Manufacturing Methods. ⇑ Corresponding author. E-mail address: loguprabhucim@gmail.com (L. Prabhu). Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Materials Today: Proceedings journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/matpr Please cite this article as: L. Prabhu, V. Krishnaraj, S. Sathish et al., Study of mechanical and morphological properties of jute-tea leaf fiber reinforced hybrid composites: Effect of glass fiber hybridization, Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2019.09.132