Study on the Effect of Granite Powder Fillers in Surface-treated Cordia Dichotoma Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composite

In this study, a combination of “Cordia Dichotoma” natural fiber and “granite powder” as filler has been reinforced into epoxy resin making a hybrid composite. In this study, unused industrial waste obtained from the granite polishing industry, known as granite powder (GP) is being utilized for its usefulness as a reinforcement in polymer composite. Hybrid composite was prepared by reinforcing a constant Cordia Dichotoma fiber content of 20 wt. % and varying the granite powder weight (wt. %) percentages (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20) into epoxy matrix. Mechanical properties (tensile, flexural and impact) of hybrid composites were investigated. Following the results obtained, granite powder could be evidenced as a good filler material for the betterment of composite’s mechanical properties. Also, the ability of this filler material is proved in decreasing water absorption and chemical resistance. SEM morphology was performed to investigate the bonding and distribution of granite powder within the Cordia Dichotoma reinforced composite material. Besides, presence of chemical functional groups in the composite was traced by Infra-Red Spectroscopy. Also, Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) was carried out and the composite was found to be thermally stable up to 455°C.