Design and Analysis of Natural Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites for Automobile Applications

Abstract

The need for eco-friendly materials is increasing in the automobile and aerospace sectors. Material selection for automobile components is influenced by various factors such as cost, weight and strength. Natural fibers offer various advantages over conventional materials such as environment friendly, easily available, recyclable and higher specific strength. Among the natural fibers Sisal and Kenaf fibers are selected for present study due to their good mechanical properties and availability. Kenaf fibers have great potential to be used as construction and automotive materials due to their long fibers which are derived from the bast. Sisal fibers do not absorb moisture and possess good impact, sound absorbing properties and high fire resistance properties. Epoxy LY556 is selected as matrix material to bind the combination of these two natural fibers due to its high temperature resistance and adherence to reinforcements. This project aim is to development of a new hybrid natural composite made of Sisal and Kenaf for automobile application. Static analysis of specimen will be perform utilizing in ANSYS 19 software to determine force reaction for specified displacement with both composite materials along with stress concentration effect with deformation. Results and end will be drawn by looking at systematic and experimental esteems.