Indentation behavior of cellulosic fibers/fly ash-incorporated polymer composites at sub-micron scale

• Published in: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part J, Journal of engineering tribology Journal of engineering tribology, 2022-02, Vol.236 (2), p.242-249
• Main Authors: Biswas, Bhabatosh, Mukherjee, Nillohit, Sinha, Arijit
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cellulose fibers; Chemical treatment; Dynamic mechanical properties; Elastic recovery; Fillers; Fly ash; Heat treatment; Jute; Mechanical engineering; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Nanohardness; Nanoindentation; Polyesters; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; Pressure molding; Sisal; Wear rate
• ISSN: 1350-6501; 2041-305X
• DOI: 10.1177/13506501211030049

Chemically treated short cellulosic fibers (jute and sisal) reinforced heat-treated silanized fly ash-dispersed hybrid polymer composites were synthesized by a compression molding technique. The 35 wt.% filler loading unsaturated polyester matrix-based composites were fabricated. The mechanical behavior of the unsaturated polyester matrix and unsaturated polyester-based composites was successfully assessed at the sub-micron length scale using the nanoindentation or depth-sensing instrumented indentation technique. It was observed that along with filler addition, the mechanical properties at the sub-micron scale improved significantly. A successful attempt to investigate the effect of filler inclusion within the unsaturated polyester matrix through various nanoindentation-derived parameters, namely, nanohardness, reduced modulus, elastic recovery, residual depth, wear rate as well the dynamic mechanical properties was also executed in the current investigation.