Enhancing Flax fabric composites by reinforcement of sea shell filler and epoxy matrix integration

This study investigates the enhancement of natural flax fabric composites by incorporating sea shell powder filler within an epoxy matrix. Flax-epoxy composites were produced with 0–20% seashell filler to assess their mechanical, thermal, microstructural, and water absorption properties. The findings indicate that the use of 10% sea shell filler produces optimal performance, enhancing tensile strength by 21.5% and flexural strength by 43.7% relative to the unfilled composite. FESEM investigation validated enhanced adhesion at the fiber–matrix interface and consistent filler distribution. Water absorption diminished significantly with increased filler content, indicating improved moisture resistance. Thermal analysis indicated that the incorporation of sea shell filler did not negatively impact thermal stability, while resulting in a thermally stable residue linked to calcium carbonate breakdown. The results underscore the promise of sea shell-reinforced flax composites as sustainable, high-performance materials for engineering applications. Subsequent research may concentrate on long-term resilience and optimization tailored to specific applications.