Investigation of the mechanical properties of tamarind seed particles reinforced epoxy composites

Developing countries are having abundant agricultural waste and fibers, which are used for preparing novel composite materials to enhance its utilization and to reduce deforestation in concern with global warming. India has the largest potential of tamarind in the world. In the present work, the exploration of Tamarind seed particles as reinforcement in polymer matrix is studied. The tamarind seed particles in epoxy resin were prepared by ultra-sonication process. The epoxy-tamarind seed particles composite (ETC) specimens were prepared using particles of size 212 to 300 microns and varying the weight percentage of tamarind seed particles and epoxy resin. The physical and mechanical properties were evaluated for different ETC composite specimens. From the experimental results, it has been found that MOR and MOE of composites are 48 MPa and 2536.29 MPa for 10% and 30% composition of fibers in polymer matrix respectively. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of composites are 27.69 MPa and 362.39 MPa for 10% and 20% composition of fibers in polymer matrix respectively. The impact strength increased steadily up to 30% composition of fibers. The hardness number varies from 72.33 to 53.33 HRN for the composite materials. The moisture content of the composite varies from 0.28 to 0.43% and the moisture absorption varies from 0.64 to 1.27% for 12 days. The prepared composite material can be used in the structural applications, industrial and commercial coating, interior automobile design, etc.