Mechanical, DMA, and fatigue behavior of Vitis vinifera stalk cellulose Bambusa vulgaris fiber epoxy composites

This investigation aimed to determine the effect of adding Vitis vinifera stalk cellulose (VSC) to epoxy resin composites reinforced with Bambusa vulgaris fiber (BVF). This study also focused on the mechanical, dynamic mechanical analysis, and fatigue properties of epoxy composites fabricated using VSC and BVF. The composite laminates were prepared using a hand layup method and were evaluated with respect to the corresponding ASTM standards. The mechanical properties illustrate that the increment in values for tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus, Izod impact as well as hardness maximum up to 162 MPa, 6.21 GPa, 182 MPa, 6.48 GPa, 5.72 J, and 90 shore-D, respectively for 5.0 vol% of BVF and 40 vol% of bamboo fiber composite designation EBG3 (Epoxy + Bamboo + Grape cellulose). Similarly, the addition of BVF by 40 vol% improved the storage modulus, loss factor, and fatigue life count of composite "EB " (Epoxy + Bamboo) by about 2.91 GPa, 0.55 and 19,227, respectively. The highest observed storage modulus and minimum loss factor were about 4.14 GPa and 0.36 for the composite designation "EBG3 " as well as the maximum observed fatigue life counts were about 34,227 for the same. These composites with mechanically strong properties with improved thermo-mechanical properties and fatigue life could be applicable in automotive side door beadings, ballistic resistance defense equipments, sports goods, and also in some of the household gadgets making purposes.