FABRICATION OF HYBRID COMPOSITE WITH ALUMINUM AND SUGARCANE BAGASSE REINFORCEMENT FOR INVESTIGATION OF ITS PROPERTIES

Hybrid composites are materials composed of a combination of two or more different types of reinforcements, often with distinct properties. The combination of different reinforcements aims to exploit the strengths of each material, resulting in a composite with improved mechanical, thermal, or other specific properties compared to individual components. Nowadays, application of hybrid composites reinforced with natural fibers has gained significance in various industries due to the unique combination of properties such as automobile, aerospace, construction, Sports and Leisure. Eventhough, natural fibers may degrade over time due to environmental factors, resulted in decrease in mechanical properties and overall durability of the hybrid composite. Therefore, Hybrid composites can achieve a combination of high strength, stiffness and toughness that is difficult to obtain with single-fiber composites. The aim of the study is to develop roselle fibers reinforced epoxy resin-based hybrid composite using hand layup method. The snail shell powder with different weight proportion (5, 10 & 15 wt.-%) and 20% (wt.-%) of roselle fiber have been added to fabricate the hybrid composite. The study was carried out in order to study the mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, impact and hardness strength. The results showed that the composites fabricated with 10% of snail shells powder showed the maximum tensile strength of 40 MPa, flexural strength of 57 MPa and impact strength of 31 KJ/m2. The 15% filler added composite showed the maximum hardness strength of 43 HV. It was observed that the fracture mechanism of a hybrid composite involves fiber breakage, matrix cracking, delamination, matrix debonding, crack initiation and voids etc were formed in the composite. The Composite samples embedded with fillers demonstrate the lowest water intake behaviour. The findings showed that the hybrid composite with 10% snail shell powder exhibited the highest tensile, flexural and impact strength while the 15% snail shell powder composite showed the highest hardness (43 HV). Additionally, snail shell embedded composites demonstrated the lowest water intake behaviour. Fracture analysis revealed mechanisms such as fiber breakage and matrix cracking observed via SEM.

The aim of the present paper is to examine the outcome of Al2O3-SiC reinforcements on structural and mechanical behavior of Al matrix based hybrid composites. Al-Al2O3-SiC hybrid composite has been developed through stir casting with addition of ceramics i.e. Al2O3-SiC (2.5 wt.%, 5.0 wt.%, 7.5 wt.% and 10.0 wt.%) in relative and symmetrical proportion. The structural characteristics, i.e. phase, microstructure, EDS; physical property i.e. density and the mechanical properties, i.e. hardness, impact strength and tensile strength of fabricated specimens have been investigated. XRD represents the transitional phase formation among Al base material and Al2O3-SiC ceramic phases with inter-atomic bonding between them. SEM reveals that the Al2O3-SiC fragments has distributed symmetrically in Al matrix. EDS spectrum of various samples are in confirmation with the XRD results. Density of hybrid composite reduces with increase in weight percentage of ceramic reinforcements i.e. Al2O3-SiC because ceramic particle gains low density after preheating. Hardness of hybrid composites increases upto 5 wt.% variation of ceramic reinforcements i.e. Al2O3-SiC after that it decreases. Impact strength of hybrid composite has been increased with an increase in weight percentage of ceramic. Al-2.5 wt.% Al2O3-2.5 wt.% SiC shows maximum ultimate tensile strength. It is expected that the prepared hybrid composites will be useful for fastener studs.

The effect of filler amount and kind on the crystalline structure, thermal stability, and mechanical, rheological, and morphological properties of polyamide 6 (PA6) was studied in this research. Glass bead and glass fiber were chosen as mineral fillers. They were incorporated to PA6 solely or in mixed formulations at different proportions (hybrid composites). Tensile strain, tensile strength, impact strength, flexural strain, flexural strength, melt flow index, crystallite size, and thermal degradation parameters were determined for all composites. The addition of glass bead or glass fiber increased the brittleness of pure PA6. The incorporation of glass fiber to pure PA6 improved flexural, impact, and tensile strengths, and mixing of glass bead with pure PA6 polymer caused deterioration of both (tensile and flexural) strengths, but enhanced impact strength. Among hybrid composites, the highest flexural, tensile, and impact strength values were achieved with 15 wt% glass bead and 15 wt% glass fiber content. The addition of glass bead and/or glass fiber to PA6 polymer caused a decrement in melt flow index value. X-ray diffraction results indicated that pure PA6 polymer had α- and γ-crystalline forms, and the reinforcement of glass bead or glass fiber would induce the crystallization into γ-form. It was also found that the incorporation of glass bead or glass fiber influenced the lamellar thickness, and pure PA6 gave thicker lamellar crystal than that of glass bead/fiber-reinforced PA6 and its hybrid composites. Higher thermal stability with glass bead or glass fiber incorporation was found as compared to pure PA6 polymer.

In this contribution, the influences of zircon sand and boron carbide on the mechanical properties of aluminum metal matrix composites (MMC) were predicted. Here, metal matrix composite samples were fabricated by stir-casting process. The prepared samples were tested for their tensile, flexural, impact and hardness strength. It was observed that the hardness of the prepared samples increased by adding Zircon sand and boron carbide particles as compared with pure aluminum alloy. Similarly, the impact and flexural strength increased as a result of the presence of the ceramic particles as compared with pure aluminum alloys. But, there was a decrease in the tensile strength due to an increase in hardness and porosity of the composites. It was clearly observed that the impact, flexural and hardness properties of Type III aluminum matrix increased to 3.89 J, 400.3 MPa and 141.7 BHN by increasing the weight percentage of reinforcements. These results have been compared with Al-Zr MMC and Al-B4C MMC and proved that the hybrid composite shows the better results. To study the topography of the samples, scanning electron microscope analysis was carried out. An innovative aspect of this MMC is that, it shows an increase in mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strength as well as hardness can find practical applications in the aerospace and automobile industries.

The main purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of benzoyl treatment on the performance of sugar palm/kenaf fiber-reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites. Water absorption tests were carried out to confirm the effect of benzoylation treatment toward fabricating a more hydrophobic behavior of the hybrid composites. Both treated and untreated composites that have 10 wt.% of fiber loading with three different fiber ratios between sugar palm and kenaf (7:3, 5:5, 3:7) were analyzed. Physical and mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact strength were determined from this study. Morphological properties were obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the tensile strength of sugar palm/kenaf-reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites was improved with the treatment of benzoyl with a value of 19.41 MPa. In addition, hybrid composite with treated sugar palm and kenaf fiber T-SP3K7 recorded the highest impact and flexural strength of 19.4 MPa and 18.4 MPa, respectively. In addition, SEM demonstrated that surface treatment enhanced the mechanical properties of the hybrid composites. Overall, it can be suggested that benzoyl-treated composites with a higher volume of kenaf fiber than sugar palm fiber will improve the mechanical characteristics of the hybrid composites.

Hybridization effect of talc/glass fiber as a filler in polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene composites

An overview of the effect of stirrer design on the mechanical properties of Aluminium Alloy Matrix Composites fabricated by stir casting

The physical, thermal, mechanical, and morphological characteristics of non‐hybrid and hybrid composites reinforced with vetiver (VF) and rattan fiber (RF) in a PLA matrix were investigated in this work. To achieve this, five types of composites were created: three hybrids and two non‐hybrids, using twin‐screw extrusion and push‐and‐fit injection molding machines. The physical properties, such as density and porosity, were examined. The mechanical properties of the composites, including flexural, tensile, compressive, and impact strengths, were also assessed, along with their thermal properties, which were analyzed through thermal conductivity. In addition, the composite's chemical composition was studied through FTIR and XRD. An increase in density with the addition of RF and VF fibers was noticed. VF50‐RF50 hybrid composite exhibits the highest density with the lowest porosity. Improved crystallinity was obtained in the RF‐PLA composite. RF/PLA composite revealed Young's modulus of 2257.45 MPa and maximum tensile strength of 29.95 MPa, flexural strength of 60.56 MPa. Among the hybrid composites, the VF50‐RF50 composite exhibits very balanced properties with 23.89 MPa tensile strength, 2038.3 MPa Young's modulus, 48.21 MPa of flexural strength, and 0.66 W/mk thermal conductivity, which is the highest among all the fabricated composites. Rattan‐vetiver‐PLA composites can be a better alternative in manufacturing lightweight furniture and partition boards.Highlights A novel hybrid composite was prepared. Improved physical and mechanical properties in rattan/vetiver‐PLA composites. VF50‐RF50 hybrid composite shows the lowest void content of 1.02%. RF/PLA composite shows the highest tensile and compressive strength of 29.95 MPa and 186.52 MPa. Research suggests potential in eco‐friendly furniture, kitchenware, and load‐bearing furniture components.

Mechanical Characterization of AA7050-TiC Metal Matrix Composites under as Cast as condition

Bagasse fiber from sugarcane waste is used with epoxy resin to make natural composites. The raw fibers are treated chemically to improve compatibility and adherence with the epoxy polymer. It’s anticipated that epoxy resin matrix composites reinforced with bagasse particles would work as a trustworthy replacement for conventional materials utilized in the building and automobile sectors. The amount and distribution of reinforcing particles inside the matrix are two factors that impact the composite’s strength. Furthermore, the precise proportion of reinforcing elements—roughly 20–30 weight percent—into the matrix plays a critical role in providing a noticeable boost in improving the properties of the composites. This research investigates the impact of reinforcing alkali-treated bagasse and untreated bagasse powder into an epoxy matrix on aspects of mechanical and morphological characteristics. The hand layup technique is used to create alkali-treated bagasse and untreated bagasse powder-reinforced epoxy composites. Composites are designed with six levels of reinforcement weight percentages (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%). Microstructural analysis was performed using SEM and optical microscopes to assess the cohesion and dispersion of the reinforcing particles throughout the hybrid composites’ matrix phase. With reinforcement loading up to 20 wt%, the tensile strength, impact strength, and toughness of epoxy-alkali-treated bagasse and untreated bagasse powder-reinforced composites increased. In contrast, treated bagasse epoxy composites were superior to untreated epoxy composites in terms of efficacy. The results indicate that 20 wt% alkali bagasse powder provides better mechanical properties than other combinations.

In this article, Al7075 matrix with SiC as reinforcement particle was developed and the mechanical properties such as tensile strength, hardness, and impact strength was investigated. Aluminum is preferred as a matrix phase because Al alloys have low density and good ductility. Silicon carbide is chosen as a reinforcement phase due to its brittle and hard properties to enhance the wear properties. Mechanical properties of aluminum metal matrix have been tested at different temperatures and holding time. It shows an ultimate tensile strength of 121 N/mm2 at 800°C processing temperature and 20 mins of holding time. At a processing temperature of 850°C, it shows maximum hardness and impact strength. Among all the fabrication processes, stir casting is chosen because stir casting process is the simplest and cheapest for fabricating metal matrix composites (MMCs). Microelectronic and aerospace packaging industry requires a material with optimum hardness and impact strength to prevent the material from wear and impact during material handling. These MMCs will be a replacement for traditionally used materials such as W-Cu, BeO, and Kovar in packaging application.

In this paper, the effect of four novel hyperbranched polyester polymers on the mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene (virgin polypropylene VPP and recycled polypropylene rPP) has been investigated. All the polymeric blends were prepared using a twin-screw extruder with different weight percentages of HBP (5, 10, and 20 wt.%). The mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, elastic modulus, elongation at break, impact strength, and hardness, were studied. In addition, the thermal properties, such as melting temperature Tm, crystallization temperature Tc, and the degree of crystallinity Xc, were also investigated. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Melt flow rate (MFR) were investigated. Tensile results showed that the tensile strength, elastic modulus, and elongation at break for both virgin polypropylene (VPP) and recycled polypropylene (rPP) decreased with the addition of the four hyperbranched polyester polymers (HBPs). While impact strength has improved for the polymeric blends with the increase of hyperbranched polyester content, it has also been found that the best impact strength occurs at 10% HBPs for all blends. While there is a slight improvement in the Shore D hardness with the HBPs added for the blends, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the melting temperature (Tm) improved slightly for both VPP and rPP blends. While the crystallization temperature (Tc) increased for VPP blends and decreased for rPP blends, In addition, the degree of crystallinity Xc was decreased for both blends. SEM results indicate that there is no interaction and dispersion between PP and HBP due to the absence of any compatibilizer, while MFR results indicate that there is an improvement in material flowability and thus improved processability.

The paper presents the novel topological approach in optimizing the mechanical properties of the basalt/flax hybrid composite. Hybrid composite were fabricated at 10 different combinations of basalt and flax fiber weight percentage in a polyester matrix fabricated with compression moulding technique. Mechanical strength such as tensile, flexural and impact strength were found as per ASTM standard. Hybrid composite with 40% basalt/10% flax/50% polyester has maximum tensile test of 78.67N/mm2 and maximum flexural strength (504.85N/mm2) was observed in hybrid composite with 35% basalt/15% flax/50% polyester, the maximum impact strength was noted on 5% basalt/45% flax/50% (16.60J/m). Optimization of mechanical strength using novel topological method shows the optimum fiber weight percentage influence in mechanical performance. From the optimization result it is found that the hybrid composite with 35% basalt/15% flax/50% polyester has superior mechanical property and flax fiber was found to have maximum influence on mechanical property of the hybrid composites.

Effect of surface treatment on mechanical, physical and morphological properties of oil palm/bagasse fiber reinforced phenolic hybrid composites for wall thermal insulation application

The pattern of metal matrix composites can be enhanced by integrating the concept of hybrid metal matrix composite to produce newer engineering materials with improved properties. The morphological and mechanical characteristics of Al-4032/SiC/GP hybrid composites have been investigated. The aluminium alloy (Al-4032) based hybrid composites have been fabricated through the bottom pouring stir casting set up, by reinforcing the silicon carbide (SiC) and granite powder ceramic particles as the reinforcement material at various fraction levels i.e. 0, 3, 6, 9 weight% in equal proportion. The reinforcement particle size is up to 54μm. The microstructural characterization of the hybrid composite samples has been carried out using an optical microscope, SEM, and XRD. The study reveals that the reinforcement hybrid particles (SiC + GP) are almost uniformly distributed throughout the matrix phase. The mechanical properties (tensile strength, impact strength, and microhardness) of the hybrid composite samples have been obtained and found to be better than the unreinforced alloy.