Effectiveness of Phoenix sp. particles as reinforcement in epoxy composites: Mechanical, free vibration, thermal, and water absorption characteristics

Integrating natural fillers into polymer composites has been identified as a feasible and viable technique for improving performance of the material with preserving sustainability. In this work epoxy-based composites are fabricated by incorporating Phoenix sp. natural fillers in different weight proportions using compression moulding process and subjected to various experimental testings. The findings indicated that, the composites containing 10 wt.% of filler shows highest tensile, flexural and impact strengths, and vibration characteristics of 26 MPa, 47.6 MPa, 10.5 kJ/m2, and 24.16 Hz, respectively. In addition, morphological analysis of the mechanically tested samples provided insights into effective interfacial bonding. The thermal degradation analysis showed higher stability at 15 wt.% filler content, with reduced weight loss (75.43%) during the main degradation phase (stage-3) and the highest degradation temperature observed in the DTG curve is 391.9 °C. The hydrophilic property was noted in the water diffusion process, where an increase in filler content affects the water uptake rate of the composites. The Phoenix sp. filler added epoxy composites with increased mechanical, thermal and vibration characteristics could be employed in engineering applications such as roofing panels, insulation covers, and automotive and machine tool industries.