Abstract
In this study, fatigue life of natural fiber reinforced composite materials was predicted due to manufacturing defects fatigue damage modes. Kenaf bast fibers were used to fabricate natural fiber composite materials with epoxy as a binding material. The Kenaf fiber reinforced composites were manufactured using a hand lay-up process. The defects in Kenaf reinforced composite materials were determined by a non-destructive technique using Infrared (IR) thermal imager. The thermography analyses were verified by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigations. Then, the Mathematical model for estimating fatigue life by IR thermal imaging technique based on damage accumulation model is proposed. This proposed model is named as S-IR thermal imaging fatigue life model. Determinations of fatigue damage has been predicted and it found that it damage has been fixed with the predicting results. S-IR model proposed that 60% kenaf epoxy with thickness 0.3 cm is recommended as the best formulation to fabricate the specimens due to a longer fatigue life recorded and the result obtained from the fatigue cyclic tension test shows that 60% kenaf epoxy with thickness 0.3 cm had the highest fatigue resistance as indicated by a highest range of stress level, 119.71-53.20 MPa.
Highlights
The reinforcement of natural fiber in polymer composites has attracted researcher, academicians and various industries [1], and there has been growing interest in the use of natural fibres as reinforcement in polymer matrix composite due many advantages of using natural fibres compared to synthetic fibre
It is an essential to have a non –destructive technique (NDT) tools to predict the performance of the structures and proved the results evidence of experimental work done on a composite materials in order to schedule the maintenance or replacement of component before its failure
S-IR model proposed that 60% kenaf epoxy with thickness 0.3 cm is recommended as the best formulation to fabricate the specimens due to a longer fatigue life recorded
Summary
The reinforcement of natural fiber in polymer composites has attracted researcher, academicians and various industries [1], and there has been growing interest in the use of natural fibres as reinforcement in polymer matrix composite due many advantages of using natural fibres compared to synthetic fibre. Some of the applications in natural fibre reinforced composite materials involved components to cyclic loading. Study on a fatigue life prediction on natural fibres reinforced composite materials is essential and necessary to allow their applications where cyclic loads are experienced. A study on modeling of fatigue life of composite materials by using thermal imaging technique should be carried out to explore a new research data and present a good understanding on using a NDT on fatigue failure in natural fiber reinforced composite materials. This study promotes the usage of thermal imaging namely Infrared (IR) technique to estimate the fatigue life of natural fibre reinforced composite materials whilst presenting ways to understand the use of non-destructive technique on fatigue failure. The results of this study are hoped to bridge and narrow down the gap exist within the body of knowledge of Universal Journal of Materials Science 4(4): 88-96, 2016 fatigue life in relation to natural fibre reinforced composite materials
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
