Paper Title
ANALYSIS OF ROCKWELL HARDNESS AND IMPACT STRENGTH OF SCREW PINE/ BAGASSE FIBRE REINFORCED HYBRID COMPOSITE

Abstract
Abstract - The aim of this research work is to perform an experimental analysis of mechanical properties and water absorption characteristics of screw pine bagasse fibre reinforced hybrid epoxy composites. The prime focus of this work is to make use of the properties of natural fibres to the fullest and make them to interact with epoxy resin effectively. In this article, screw pine and bagasse fibres have been reinforced into epoxy resin in different fibre ratios keeping the composite resin and fibre ratio constant i.e. 60:40. In order to achieve the objectives, three different composites were prepared by reinforcing screw pine and bagasse fibres in varying weight compositions in the composite by taking respective Resin: Screw pine: Bagasse ratio as (60:30:10, 60:20:20, 60:10:30). After preparation of samples impact strength and surface hardness characteristics were tested. After detailed analysis of results obtained it was concluded that as the amount of screw pine fibre increased in the screw pine/bagasse hybrid composite its surface hardness is increased. Impact Strength shows a moderate variation as it increases upon addition of fibres but as soon as bagasse contents reaches 30% in the composite it decreases as increased bagasse content creates voids and thus leads to poor fibre- matrix adhesion. Keywords - Screw pine, Bagasse, Hardness, Impact Strength.