Experimental Analysis of Tensile and Flexural Strength of Water Lily Fiber Reinforced Polyester Resin Composite

Abstract

Ethiopia has abundant invasive aquatic plants like water hyacinth and water lily. Large masses of these invasive plants have a negative impact on the water bodies specifically at Lake Tana, in Ethiopia by infesting and deteriorating water quality and reducing the quantity of water.  In this research work, an attempt was made to fabricate a natural fiber reinforced composite in which water lily fiber was used as reinforcing material in the polyester resin matrix. Chopped water lily fiber reinforced polyester resin composites were prepared by varying the fiber weight percentage as 20%, 40% and 60%. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and flexural strength were evaluated as per ASTM standards to evaluate the influence of fiber concentrations. The experimental result shows that an increase in fiber concentration enhanced the mechanical properties of water lily fiber reinforced polyester composite. It was found that the composite with 40 wt% of fiber exhibited a superior strength which could be suitably used for different applications.