Investigation of use of different volume percentages of cissus quadrangularis natural fiber constitute in epoxy matrix composite

Composites have replaced traditional materials in industries like automobile and aerospace, in households and in decorative materials, due to its primary advantage of being lightweight. The substituted natural fibers play an important role in composite manufacturing due to their superior recycling environmental benefits. This green concept has motivated many researchers to investigate the use of natural fiber as an alternative to synthetic fiber formulated composites. In this research paper, the natural fiber Cissus quadrangularis is taken as a reinforcement fiber; epoxy LY556 with hardener HY951 is taken as matrix material to make a composite of the required equivalent strength. The optimum fiber length of 40mm of Cissus quadrangularis, is randomly oriented in the compression moulding to make the composite. Three composite compositions are made with different fiber volume percentages of 5%, 10%, and 15%, to identify the best natural fiber to resin ratio. The mechanical properties of the samples are determined by tensile test, flexural test, impact test and hardness test to find the optimum fiber ratio percentage to make the composite substitute. It is observed that 15% volume percentage of fiber content in composite gives superior and desired mechanical properties than the other two considered volume percentages. As Cissus quadrangularis is a medicinal plant, it can be extensively used in new, expanding biomedical and automobile applications.