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Physio-mechanical and thermal characterization of jute/rubber crumb hybrid composites and selection of optimal configuration using the MADM approach

The present study explores the possible usage of the rubber crumb as a filler in jute-reinforced polymer matrix composites for structural applications. The rubber crumb with different weight percentages of 1.5, 3 and 5 was used for manufacturing the hybrid composites using the hand layup method, and their physio-mechanical properties were compared with the unfilled jute epoxy composite. The results revealed that the addition of a rubber crumb helps to overcome the disadvantage of water absorption by natural fibres since the water absorption of the composite filled with 5 wt% of rubber crumb reduced by 2.6 times compared to the unfilled composite. However, the density of the composites was found to increase with the addition of a rubber crumb. The tensile strength and flexural strength of the composite with 3 wt% rubber crumb was found to be better and was found to be increased by 9.38% and 42.37%, respectively, compared to the unfilled composite. The impact strength of the composite with 5 wt% of rubber crumb was the highest, and it was improved by 16.29% compared to the unfilled composite. The MADM approach, namely the VIKOR method, is successfully implemented to select the best configuration of the proposed hybrid composites. The effect of chemical treatment of the fibre on the winning composite from the MADM approach is further evaluated for its thermal conductivity and thermal resistance. This work can be a benchmark for using and converting the waste tyre rubber into the rubber crumb in polymer matrix composites to enhance their mechanical properties. It can also guide the designers in implementing the MADM approach to select appropriate composite selection when there are multiple conflicting criteria.