The effect of clam shell powder on kinetics of water absorption of jute epoxy composite

Abstract

Purpose

Here, attempts have been made to explore the possible use of Marine waste as filler materials into the bio-fibre composites. Clam shell is a type of marine waste which belongs to the class of Bivalvia. It is mainly made of aragonite crystalline polymorphs. This paper aims to develop a new class of natural fibre composite in which jute fibre as reinforcement, epoxy as matrix and clam shell, as particulate microsphere filler. The study investigates the effects of different amounts of clam shell powder on the kinetics of water absorption of jute fibre-reinforced epoxy composite. Two different environmental conditions at room temperature, i.e. distilled water and seawater, are collected for this purpose. Moisture absorption reduces when clam shell is added to the jute-epoxy composite. The curve of water absorption of jute-epoxy composites with filler loading at both environmental conditions follows as Fickian behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Hand lay-up technique to fabricate the composite – Experimental observation

Findings

The incorporation of Clam shell filler in jute epoxy composite modified the water absorption property of the composite. Hence the present marine waste is an potential filler in jute fibre reinforced polymer composite.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates a new class hybrid composite material which uses a marine waste as important phase in the bio-fibre-reinforced composite. It is a new work submitted for original research paper.

Citation

Jena, H. and Panigrahi, A. (2021), "The effect of clam shell powder on kinetics of water absorption of jute epoxy composite", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 18 No. 5, pp. 684-691. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-08-2020-0334