Comparisons between some composites reinforced with corn leaves and different matrices

University of Craiova, Faculty of Mechanics, Calea Bucureşti Street, No. 107, Code 200512, Craiova, Romania

^* Corresponding author: miritoiucosmin@yahoo.com

Abstract

In this paper we build some composite materials reinforced with corn leaves. In order to build the samples, we have firstly created some strips in this way: we put the corn leaves, continuously, on a sheet of paper where we apply a this layer of resin (we have used epoxy and polyester ones). We have waited for the resin polymerization 48 hours, recommended by the producer. We have put the corn leaves layers in the director of the tensile test (because we will test the samples to tensile). We have made 10 strips and we have glued them together by using the same synthetic resins (epoxy and polyester). In the end we have obtained some composites reinforced with strips from corn leaves and paper sheet, and the matrix is made from epoxy and polyester resins. From the obtained plate, we have cut some samples in order to study their statically mechanical characteristics by tensile test. The samples were tested on an universal testing machine INSTRON 1000 HDX which is assisted by a software called Bluehill. The samples have a rectangular section We have determined: the elongation at break, the breaking strength and the Young modulus. We have also studied the samples breaking area..