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Md. Aslam Beg Akash
All research

Research contribution

Sodium Silicate and Water Hyacinth Ash Fillers in Jute/Epoxy Composites

Supervisor: Dr. Md. Arifuzzaman
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), Bangladesh

This work investigated rice-husk-derived sodium silicate and water hyacinth ash as fillers in jute/epoxy composites. The experimental work involved filler preparation, composite fabrication, tensile and flexural testing, and SEM–EDS characterization. Microstructural observations and local elemental analysis were used to examine the filler-containing composites and help interpret their mechanical behavior.

Sodium Silicate Preparation

Rice husk ash was processed and sieved before alkaline extraction using sodium hydroxide. Following filtration, the recovered sodium silicate solution was dried, ground, and sieved to obtain the prepared powder.

Sample Preparation for SEM–EDS

The prepared powder was compacted into pellets using a compression die and a manually operated hydraulic press at KUET. These compact specimens were prepared for subsequent SEM–EDS characterization.

Rice husk feedstock, prepared sodium silicate solution, and self-prepared powder
Powder pellets prepared for SEM–EDS characterization

SEM Characterization

SEM examination of the sodium silicate and water hyacinth ash composites revealed features including jute fiber bundles, surrounding epoxy, fiber pull-out, matrix fracture, and localized voids or gaps at the fiber–matrix interface. These observations provide microstructural context for interpreting load transfer and fracture behavior in the composites.

Sodium silicate composite: SEM overview and fracture detail
Water hyacinth ash composite: fracture morphology

Local Chemistry and Filler Dispersion

EDS Elemental Assessment

Local EDS analysis of the sodium silicate-containing composite identified sodium and silicon signals at the selected measurement location. This elemental information complements the SEM observations of the composite microstructure.

Filler Dispersion in Epoxy

The prepared filler was initially mixed into the epoxy resin, followed by probe sonication to promote dispersion. Hardener was subsequently incorporated before composite fabrication. This preparation step was intended to distribute the filler throughout the resin prior to impregnation of the jute reinforcement.

Selected SEM location and corresponding EDS spectrum
Probe-sonication setup for dispersing filler in epoxy

Composite Fabrication and Mechanical Testing

Composite Fabrication

Jute fiber layers were prepared and impregnated with the filler-containing epoxy mixture in a silicone mould. The laminates were consolidated and cured before demoulding and specimen preparation.

Mechanical Testing

The fabricated composites were evaluated through tensile and three-point bending tests. The recovered specimens were also examined to assess the observed fracture and deformation characteristics.

Silicone mould, jute reinforcement, lay-up and consolidation
Tensile and bending tests with recovered specimens