Microstructural Evolution and Property Enhancement of Teak (Tectona grandis) Wood Dust Reinforced Polymer Composites for Automotive Applications

Abstract

The increasing demand for lightweight and sustainable materials in the automotive sector has intensified research on hybrid natural-synthetic fiber composites. In this study, teak wood dust was explored as an eco-friendly particulate reinforcement for glass fiber/epoxy laminates to enhance structural performance while reducing material cost and environmental impact. The objective was to evaluate how different teak dust loadings (3, 6, and 12 wt.%) influence the mechanical, morphological, and water-resistance characteristics of the resulting hybrid composites. Composite laminates were fabricated using the hand lay-up process, where teak dust was dispersed in an epoxy matrix (10:1 resin-hardener ratio) and sandwiched between glass fabric layers. Specimens were prepared according to ASTM standards and subjected to tensile, flexural, impact, and water absorption tests. The 12 wt.% teak-reinforced composite exhibited the highest tensile strength (45.50 ± 5 MPa), flexural strength (116.24 ± 2 MPa), impact resistance (4.1 ± 1.5 J), and lowest water absorption (5.22 %), correlating strongly with improved matrix adhesion and uniform morphology. These results demonstrate that teak dust significantly enhances interfacial bonding and mechanical reliability, making the 12 % hybrid composite a promising candidate for lightweight automotive components.