Mechanical, Thermal, and Water Absorption Behavior of Ash Gourd (Benincasa Hispida) Peel Particles Filled Epoxy Composites

Abstract

Recently, bio-composites have attracted much attention due to their potential applications in various industries. The most notable benefits are the product’s low cost, biodegradability, lightweight, availability, and ability to solve environmental issues. The present research utilizes ash gourd (Benincasa hispida) peel, a food waste, as a filler material to produce epoxy (EP) composites. The effect of ash gourd peel particle percentage (ranging from 0 to 25 wt.%) was studied on the developed composites’ mechanical and thermal properties and water absorption behavior. The maximum tensile strength, flexural strength, and shore D hardness were 47.52 MPa, 2409.17 MPa, and 79.6respectively, when the ash gourd peel was 5% by weight in the composite. It was observed that the mechanical characteristics of manufactured bio-composites are negatively affected by the high concentration of ash gourd peel particles in the epoxy matrix. Also, increasing ash gourd peel particle fraction increases the water absorption of composites when immersed in distilled, sea, and tap water. The composite with 5% filler by weight absorbs water at a minimal rate when immersed in seawater. Thermogravimetric analysis was conducted to investigate the newly developed composite’s thermal behavior. In addition, a morphological examination of the fractured surfaces was carried out with assistance from a scanning electron microscope. The work presents ash gourd peel particles as the potential alternative to be used as filler in composites.