Etanto Heiliano Wijayanto, Al Ichlas Imran, Januar Parlaungan Siregar, Mohd Ruzaimi Mat Rejab, Tezara Cionita, Wisnu Prayogo, Deni Fajar Fitriyana, Rozanna Dewi, Thomas Junaedi, Agustinus Purna Irawan

Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Composite Reinforced with Spent Coffee Ground and Coffee Husk

Introduction

Mechanical properties of epoxy composite reinforced with spent coffee ground and coffee husk. Investigate mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with spent coffee ground and coffee husk. Explore filler concentration's effect on tensile, flexural strength, modulus, and hardness.

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of increasing the concentration of natural filler on the mechanical properties of Spent Coffee Ground (SCG) / Coffee Husk (CH) reinforced epoxy matrix composite. The materials used in this study are epoxy resin as a matrix and waste coffee grounds and coffee husks as natural fillers with sizes of 100-mesh and concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 wt.%. The results showed that SCG 10 wt.% produced the best mechanical properties compared to the other samples based on tensile strength (19.58 MPa), tensile modulus (1.70 GPa), flexural strength (44.55 MPa), and flexural modulus (2.32 GPa). On the other hand, CH 30 wt.% contributed the highest hardness value of 50.33 HRB compared to other samples. The findings in this study prove that the appropriate composition will affect the compatibility between the filler and the matrix, thus impacting the mechanical properties of the composite. This phenomenon can be seen based on microscope analysis, which shows a strong interaction between the matrix and filler and the formation of voids and agglomeration

Review

This study presents a timely and relevant investigation into the valorization of coffee waste, specifically Spent Coffee Ground (SCG) and Coffee Husk (CH), as natural fillers in epoxy matrix composites. The overarching aim to understand the effect of increasing filler concentration on mechanical properties is well-defined and aligns with current trends in sustainable materials science. The research makes a valuable contribution by demonstrating the potential of these abundant biomass wastes to enhance composite properties, offering a dual benefit of waste reduction and material reinforcement, which is crucial for advancing the field of biocomposites. The methodology adopted, involving different concentrations (10, 20, 30 wt.%) of 100-mesh SCG and CH fillers, is systematic and allows for a clear comparison of their effects. The reported results are distinct and informative: SCG at 10 wt.% emerges as optimal for tensile (19.58 MPa tensile strength, 1.70 GPa tensile modulus) and flexural properties (44.55 MPa flexural strength, 2.32 GPa flexural modulus), indicating excellent reinforcement at this loading. Conversely, CH at 30 wt.% shows a significant improvement in hardness (50.33 HRB). The abstract's mention of microscope analysis to elucidate the observed phenomena, linking mechanical performance to filler-matrix compatibility, void formation, and agglomeration, provides a critical scientific basis for the findings and strengthens the presented data. While the abstract provides a strong indication of promising results, a full paper would significantly benefit from several enhancements. A more in-depth discussion comparing these mechanical properties with those of conventional synthetic composites or other natural fiber composites would help to better contextualize the performance of these coffee waste-reinforced materials. Furthermore, expanding on the intrinsic differences between SCG and CH (e.g., chemical composition, particle morphology, surface chemistry) that lead to their differential effects on specific mechanical properties would enrich the mechanistic understanding. Finally, exploring additional characterization such as thermal stability, water absorption, or impact strength, along with a more comprehensive discussion on potential industrial applications, would further enhance the paper's completeness and practical significance.

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