Investigation of glass/epoxy laminate composites reinforced with bio-particles under mechanical loading

Abstract In this paper, the effects of particle reinforcement on the tensile, compression and flexural properties, as well as the influence of cross head speed on the quasi-static punch shear properties of glass/epoxy composites are investigated. Laminated composites, which are manufactured by hand lay-up method consist of six layers of stitched glass fibers. As the particle reinforcement materials, pinecone and acorn powders with 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt% ratios are used for the manufacturing of composites. The quasi-static punch shear behaviour of composites is elucidated at a room temperature through the force – deformation curves and the energy graphs at different test speeds (i.e., 1, 10 and 20 mm min −1 ). According to the experimental findings of quasi-static punch shear tests, it is concluded that the maximum contact force of each composite increases along with the punch shear test speed. Compressive strength of the acorn reinforced specimens shows their highest compressive value at the particle amount of 5 wt%, while pinecone-reinforced composites exhibit their highest compressive strength at the particle ratio of 2 wt%.