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    Jute/basalt fabrics in microcellulosic-filled epoxy composites for lightweight applications
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2024) Indra Reddy, M.I.; Sethuramalingam, P.; Sahu, R.K.; Kalidindi, K.S.
    For the production of lightweight, eco-friendly, and incredibly robust products, hybrid bio-epoxy composites stand out as an outstanding material choice in the manufacturing sector. This study focused on creating a composite, where in the epoxy resin infused with microcellulose fillers is reinforced by stacking four layers of basalt-jute-jute-basalt woven mats. The composite was made through the hand lay-up process, followed by the meticulous process of compression molding. The inclusion of microcellulose, sourced from the leaves of the Musa paradisiaca plant (MPPL), was a key component. The extraction of microcellulose from the MPPL involves alkali treatment, acid hydrolysis, bleaching, and slow pyrolysis. This micro cellulose was introduced to the layered composite in varying proportions (ranging from 0 % to 10 %). Subsequently, we carried out comprehensive tests in line with ASTM standards to assess the material's effectiveness with regard to thermo-mechanical properties and water absorption characteristics. The outcomes of these evaluations highlighted that the composite featuring a 5 % Musa paradisiaca plant leaf micro cellulose content within the basalt-jute-jute-basalt layers exhibited notably superior attributes in tensile strength (99.74 MPa), flexural strength (77.87 MPa), impact strength (40.27 kJ/m2), hardness (97 HRRW), and crystallinity index of 6.3 %. Furthermore, our investigation extended to the analysis of fractural morphology to understand the bonding behaviour and fracture patterns within the composite. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.
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    Comprehensive Characterization of Novel Jute Fabrics with Musa Paradisiaca Leaf Agro-Waste Based Micro Cellulosic Fillers Reinforced Epoxy Composites For Lightweight Applications
    (Korean Fiber Society, 2025) Indra Reddy, M.I.; Sethuramalingam, P.; Sahu, R.K.
    For lightweight, sustainable, high-strength products, hybrid bio-epoxy composites materials were the most excellent choice for the production industry. The investigation proceeds in developing a four-stacked sequence jute-woven mats reinforced with epoxy composite and added with micro-cellulose fillers. The extraction of micro cellulose from Musa paradisiaca plant leaf (MPPL) was carried out through a series of processes, including alkali treatment, acid hydrolysis, bleaching, and slow pyrolysis. The composite was fabricated using the conventional hand lay-up method and compression molding. The microcellulose was added to the stacked composite at varying weight percentages (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10%). Thermo-mechanical and water intake characterization were investigated using ASTM. The findings revealed that incorporating 5% MPPL cellulose into the jute-stacked layer sequence resulted in improved hardness (95 HRRW), tensile modulus (3407.69 MPa), tensile strength (79.74 MPa), flexural modulus (2195.752 MPa), flexural strength (56.87 MPa), and crystallinity index (72.7%). However, a reduction in impact strength (23.27 kJ/m2) was noted compared to the unfilled composite. The higher thermal degradation (480 °C) behavior of the filler-reinforced composite makes them a suitable material for applications in high-temperature environments. Fractographical morphology was also investigated to reveal the bonding behavior, voids formations, agglomeration of fillers, and fracture behavior. Thus, this distinguishable composite characterization will aid the manufacturing industries in producing high-strength biodegradable materials. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the Korean Fiber Society 2025.