Characteristics of murta bast fiber reinforced epoxy composites

The growing global concern over environment protection has led to the application of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites as alternative materials in manufacturing sectors. Various natural fibers are therefore being explored for reinforcement of polymer matrices. In the present work, murta bast fibers of varying length and weight percent are mixed randomly with the epoxy matrix and the composites are prepared from these mixtures by using the hand lay‐up method. The composites are characterized on the basis of density, thermal gravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, tensile strength, flexural strength, compressive strength, impact strength, and Rockwell hardness studies. Tensile, flexural, and compressive moduli of the composites are also determined. The tensile strength of the composite was analyzed in the light of the different analytical models. Composites containing 30 weight % fibers of length 25 or 35 mm have the optimum mechanical properties. Murta bast fiber has the characteristics to become a good natural material for reinforcement. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44142.