Mechanical and water absorption properties of polymer composites reinforced with animal bone powder

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanical properties of epoxy based composite material reinforced with natural filler of animal bone powder. The polymer composites were prepared using compression molding process. The plates of 6 mm thickness were prepared with varying amount of reinforcement from 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight at varying compression loads at constant cure time. The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strength, water absorption of composites were evaluated as per ASTM standards. The microstructural evaluations of samples were done using scanning electron microscope. It was found that the mechanical properties of epoxy composite materials reinforced with animal bone powder were significantly improved. The polymer composite of 15 wt.% bone powder reinforcement exhibited higher strength but possesses lower ductility. The scanning electron microscope analysis showed that particles were distributed uniformly in the matrix material.