Dynamic performance and sustainability of hemp fiber-reinforced polymer epoxy resin matrix composites with walnut shell filler

Hemp fibers as polymer matrix composites offer sustainability, cost-effectiveness, adaptability, and exceptional mechanical characteristics in materials science and engineering. This study examines hemp fiber-reinforced thermoset matrix composites, integrating walnut shell powder as filler and epoxy resin as matrix, assessing creep, fatigue, wear, and dielectric characteristics according to ASTM standards. The investigation varies the hemp fiber and epoxy resin ratios while keeping the walnut shell content constant. Four laminates (L1, L2, L3, L4) with unique mixtures of hemp fiber, resin, and walnut shell filler were specifically designed. L1 comprises 30% hemp fiber and 70% resin, without walnut filler. L2, L3, and L4 have progressively higher hemp fiber content, 10% walnut filler and varying the resin concentration appropriately. The amount of Epoxy resin in L1, L2, L3 and L4 are 70, 80, 70 and 60%, respectively. The results indicated that composites with walnut shell filler exhibit better dynamic characteristics than composites without it. Creep testing revealed reductions of 85.05%, 87.73%, and 91.41% for L2, L3, and L4 compared to L1. Fatigue life for L2, L3, and L4 increased by 17.98%, 12.97%, and 10.2%, and dielectric constant values rose by 17.02%, 34.04%, and 57.45%, respectively. Wear loss decreased by 12.49%, 13.51%, and 4.39%, while the coefficient of friction increased by 27.14%, 20%, and 8.57% for L2, L3, and L4 compared to L1. • Mix of 10% walnut shell powder filler, 30% hemp fiber, 60% epoxy resin is advised. • The more the proportion of hemp, the higher its creep and fatigue strength. • Mix with walnut shell filler has better dynamic performance than those without it. • Mix of 30% hemp fiber and 70% epoxy resin yields less dielectric value.