Abstract
Natural fibers such as banana, sisal, snake grass, coir, hemp, jute and so on are armed with enormous advantages like less weight, reliability, recyclability and environmental friendly nature. Such fibers may enhance the system’s performance by acting as additives with the thermoplastics in different perspectives. Besides the natural composites, hybrid composites facilitate the design of material with specific property matched to an application. In the present work an attempt has been made to manufacture and test the banana and snake grass short fiber reinforced hybrid polyester composites in random orientation and random lay-up. Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide was used as the coupling agent and Cobalt Naphthalene as the catalyst. Hand layup technique was used to manufacture the composites. Relative volume fraction of the fibers was varied between 2.5-12.5% in the ratio 1:1. Properties like tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus are measured for the composites by conducting the appropriate tests according to ASTM standards.
Highlights
RESULT AND DISCUSSION Effect of fiber volume fraction upon tensile strength and modulus Mechanical properties of the composites generally rely upon matrix nature, fiber orientation and fiber-matrix interface [2]
Tensile strength was found to increase by 16% and 18% from 0.10 Vf to 0.20 Vf of the fiber and the tensile modulus increased by 19% and 13% in between the same volume fractions
Five rectangular shaped specimens were obtained from the composite laminate and the strength was measured in a spring testing machine with suitable attachment for carrying out the test
Summary
RESULT AND DISCUSSION Effect of fiber volume fraction upon tensile strength and modulus Mechanical properties of the composites generally rely upon matrix nature, fiber orientation and fiber-matrix interface [2]. For 10%, 15% and 20% volume fraction of the fibers the average maximum tensile strength of the specimen was found to be 32MPa, 38MPa and 46MPa, respectively. Tensile strength was found to increase by 16% and 18% from 0.10 Vf to 0.20 Vf of the fiber and the tensile modulus increased by 19% and 13% in between the same volume fractions.
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