A Study on the Effect of Fiber Volume Ratio on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Composites

Abstract

Abstract: At present, natural fibers of renewable resources offer the potentiality to act like a reinforcing material for manufacturing of composites. This study provides the effect of fiber volume ratio on physical & mechanical properties of specimen when the fiber length is fixed and randomly oriented. For the fabrication of composite samples, the natural fiber was used as a reinforced material and adhesive material was Phenol-Formaldehyde. Fibers of hemp, coconut & jute are used in equal ratio for the research work. In this study the fiber length was fixed in all samples and the fibers were randomly orientated and the thickness of all samples was 5mm. The length of the fibers was 12mm. A total of four samples S1, S2, S3, and S4 were fabricated using hand lay-up method. Fiber volume ratio is varied from 30% to 60%, such as 30% in S1, 40%in S2, 50% in S3 & 60% in S4 sample. Physical & Mechanical Testing has been carried out as per standards on the prepared specimens. Water absorption test was carried out in two sets one for 2 hours & second for 24 hours. Result shows that fiber volume ratio of 40% in S2 showed maximum density, water absorption test was found minimum for 2 and 24 hours test & minimum moisture. At 30% fiber ratio (S1) the expansion in length, width, and thickness was found minimum during the dimension expansion test for 2 hour soaking. Modulus of elasticity of the composite was found maximum at 50% fiber ratio (S3) inside composite and modulus of rupture found maximum at 60% fiber ratio (S4). The study on the effect of fiber ratio on mechanical and physical properties has been done.