Analysis of Mechanical Properties of High Density Polyethylene, Fly ash and Carbon nanotubes reinforced Hybrid Composite

Abstract

The present ongoing energetic human race can’t visualize its progress without bringing the conception of development in composite materials. An assortment of researches is occurring in this field to achieve the desired standard. Fly ash and CNT reinforced polymer composite has a greater effect on mechanical properties of materials due to its composition and size respectively. Now a day’s composites are used in vast areas like automobile, transportation and aerospace etc. due to having unique properties like light weight, better abrasive resistance, in toxic and eco-friendly nature. Polymer matrix composites with synthetic reinforcement have better properties than natural polymer matrix reinforced composites. However synthetic composite are costly, non-biodegradable, and causes pollution in the environment when they are discharged. Utilization of inorganic fillers obtained from waste material has gained an importance due to burden on environment. One such source is utilization of waste fly ash particles which are interesting because of their low density, low cost, strong filling ability, and smooth spherical surface. In the present work A polymer matrix hybrid composite was fabricated by compression molding process with addition of varying weight percentage (5 wt.%, 10% wt. and 15wt. %) of fly ash maintaining the constant weight percentage (1wt. %) of CNTs in high density polyethylene(HDPE) polymer. Mechanical properties (like, impact strength, flexural strength and tensile strength) were tested for developed composites. The results revealed that impact strength increases from 5 to 15 weight% of Fly ash, Flexural strength increases from 5to10 weight% and then decreases slightly. Tensile strength decreases with increasing weight % of Fly ash from (5 to 15wt %).