Experimental analysis of tensile and flexural strength of chopped water lilies fiber polyester resin composite materials

Abstract Composites are composed of two or more physically distinct phases whose combination produces aggregate properties. Ethiopia is very rich in natural fibers such as palm trees, sisal, water hyacinth, and newly formed water lilies. However, so far little attention has been paid to the study of the mechanical properties of most fiber composites, such as water lily cut fiber composites. Also, like water hyacinths, water lilies adversely affect water surfaces by covering them and reducing water content, as in Lake Tana in Ethiopia. The analysis of the mechanical properties of this reinforced composite is of great importance in the study of structural properties and industrial production. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength, and hardness properties are important factors and play a key role in determining those properties. In this publication, fiber-reinforced polyester resin composites were prepared by cutting water lilies by varying the weight concentration of fibers (20 F/80 wt%, 40 F/60 wt%, 60 F/ 40P wt%). Physical properties were evaluated according to ASTM standards in both tensile and bend tests. Experimental test results are validated with results obtained by analytical methods. Analytical techniques such as the law of mixtures and the geometric mean method have been used to evaluate the properties of composite materials. Experimental results show that shredded water lily fiber-reinforced polyester composites are suitable for various applications. The results show that the newly formed composites have harder and more brittle properties.