Synergetic effect of graphene particles on novel biomass-based Ficus benghalensis aerial root/flax fiber-reinforced hybrid epoxy composites for structural application

In this work, the effects of graphene particles, which were used as a filler for hybrid flax fiber and aerial root banyan fiber (ARBF)-reinforced epoxy composites at different sampling compositions (M4-M7), on the physical and mechanical characteristics of the epoxy composites, such as tensile, flexural, Shore D hardness, water absorption activities, and morphology were studied. The accumulation of graphene particles improved the tensile strength, flexural strength, and hardness but significantly decreased the percentage of water absorption. The ideal ratio of fibers and graphene particles for improved epoxy hybrid epoxy composites is also discussed in this study. The presence of graphene in flax/Banyan/epoxy composites acts as a flame retardant, and the combustibility decreases as the graphene level rises. The best mechanical property value was obtained with 2% graphene particles in the 19% ARBF, 19% flax fiber with 60% (M4 constituent) epoxy-reinforced hybrid composites. The results showed that a hybrid composition of 2% graphene content plays an important role and improves the strength of the hybrid composite.