Wool Fiber-Based Polycarbonate Epoxy Hybrid Composites as Sustainable Materials for Automotive Structures

In this research, polycarbonate polymer composites reinforced with varying weight fractions of wool fabric (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%) were fabricated and analyzed to evaluate their mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties. The composites were prepared by combining polycarbonate sheets with epoxy resin and wool reinforcement in different proportions. The results revealed a significant enhancement in tensile, flexural, and impact strengths with the incorporation of wool fiber up to 15 wt.%, beyond which a slight reduction was observed. The composite PSCW15 exhibited the highest tensile strength (78.06 MPa), flexural strength (157.87 N/mm2), and impact strength (3.59 KJ/m2), indicating optimal fiber–matrix interaction. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed an enhanced storage modulus of 3657.19 MPa and an increased glass transition temperature of 64.03 °C, indicating superior stiffness and thermal stability. These results demonstrate that wool fiber, as a biodegradable and renewable resource, can serve as a sustainable reinforcement for high-performance polycarbonate composites, supporting Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and Responsible Consumption and Production through eco-efficient material development.