Issue 76

B. A. Praveena et alii, Fracture and Structural Integrity, 76 (2026) 1-16; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.76.01

exhibited increased fibre pull-out lengths and more pronounced interfacial damage. These microstructural observations correlate directly with the measured impact energy, highlighting that uniform fibre dispersion and strong interfacial bonding are essential to optimize impact performance in jute fibre–reinforced epoxy composites. SEM images revealed clear microstructural differences across fibre contents. Composites with intermediate loadings 15–20 wt.% exhibited well dispersed fibres, strong interfacial bonding, and minimal voids, supporting optimal mechanical performance. Low fibre loadings showed matrix-dominated fracture with limited fibre interaction, while high fibre loading 25 wt.% demonstrated fibre agglomeration and increased void formation, corresponding to the observed reduction in tensile, flexural, and impact properties. Quantitative assessment of void fraction, fibre pull-out, and interfacial integrity was performed using image analysis, providing additional support for the trends in mechanical behaviour.

Figure 10: SEM micrograph of (a) JF-5 (5 wt.% jute), (b) JF-10 (10 wt.% jute), (c) JF-15 (15 wt.% jute), (d) JF-20 (20 wt.% jute), (e) JF 25 (25 wt.% jute), of composite.

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