Fiber Reinforced Polyester Resin Research Articles

Influence of Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4) on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Pineapple Leaf Fibre Reinforced Polyester Resin Composites

Natural fibres, which are recyclable and environment friendly, are becoming more popular than synthetic fibres which are commonly utilized in manufacturing composite materials. Scientists have drawn attention to natural fibres because of their availability, cost-effectiveness, and biodegradability. Recently, it has been popular practice to include natural fibres in composite materials for industrial uses. The research deals with the fabrication of pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) reinforced polyester composites prepared from PALF used as reinforcement with 6 wt% (weight fraction). Synthesized graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was used as filler in different weight fractions such as 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 % to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the fabricated composites. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was synthesized by one-step heating methods from scrap melamine. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was utilized to characterize g-C3N4 and ensured successful synthesis. According to the results, the composite with 0.75 wt% of g-C3N4 has a higher modulus and tensile strength. Tensile strength increases as g-C3N4 weight percentages rise, demonstrating the filler's beneficial effects. The appearance of cracks in PALF/polyester composites with g-C3N4 was captured by scanning electron microscopy, which points to the morphological changes arising after tensile testing. With the addition of g-C3N4 in several weight percentages, the thermal resistance and water repellency of composites were significantly improved. Overall, this research reveals the effect of filler weight percentage on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of PALF/polyester composite. The investigation concludes that a defined weight proportion of g-C3N4 with PALF and polyester resin produces composite materials with acceptable mechanical properties suitable for engineering applications where composites are best.

FLEXURAL PERFORMANCE OF RC BEAMS BONDED WITH UV-GFRPR SHEETS

This study presents the flexural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams externally bonded with UV-curable glass fiber reinforced polyester resin (UV-GFRPR) sheets onto their soffit surface. UV-GFRPR sheets can be cured by UV irradiation. The UV-GFRPR sheets after hardening have about one-seventh of the yield strength of normal steel (SS400), which is lower than FRP sheets such as carbon, aramid, and glass fibers. However, the UV-GFRPR sheets are easily attached to the surfaces of substrates for repair and preventive maintenance and have excellent durability with impermeability of moisture and corrosion factors. The aims of this study are to assess the flexural performance and the strengthening effect of RC beams bonded with two and three laminated layers of the UV-GFRPR sheets in four-point bending tests. The test results showed that the ultimate load-carrying capacities of the specimens with two and three laminated layers were 1.13 and 1.37 times higher than that of the control beam. The RC beams with the UV-GFRPR sheets failed in bending due to rupture of the UV-GFRPR sheets. The load-carrying capacity and the flexural performance were also predicted using the cross-sectional analysis.

Effect of Surface Modification on the Impact Strength and Hardness of Areca Husk Fibre Reinforced Polyester Resin Composite

Reinforced natural fibre composite materials are attracting greater attention in the area of material engineering due to their low density, low cost and higher mechanical strength. In the present study, the Areca Husk Fiber (AHF) was extracted through the retting process. The surface modification of AHF was done by chemical treatments such as mercerization, potassium permanganate treatment, benzoylation, acrylation and acetylation. The surface modification was studied through FE-SEM imaging. The composites of surface modified AHF reinforced polyester resin composites were prepared as per ASTM standards using polyester resin as matrix material and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO) as hardener. The Izod-Charpy impact strength, Hardness (Shore-) hardness analysis was carried out to study the mechanical behaviour of the composites. The results showed that surface modification of AHF can enhance the impact strength of the composite materials but not the hardness of the composites.

Development of hybrid composite by integrating functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) with glass fiber reinforced polyester composite.

The current work presents the development of hybrid glass fiber reinforced polyester resin (GFRPs) composite. The composite integrates functionalized carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) with glass fiber (GF) using polyester resin as a media. Hand lay-up method was adopted to prepare GFRPs samples in the form of rectangular sheets. Morphological characteristics of the GFRPs were investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to analyze the f-MWCNTs distribution and agglomeration of the developed composite's surface due to varying concentrations from 0.0 to 0.5 wt.%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were performed to confirm the presence of f-MWCNTs in the developed GFRPs. Sample with 0.4 wt. % f-MWCNTs showed the highest tensile strength and impact energy of 79 MPa, indicating a 31.66% improvement and 1.6 Nm with 77% improvement, respectively as compared to the control sample (0.wt.% f-MWCNT). The same sample also showed the thermal stability till 390 °C as measured through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Deposition of extra 10 layers initially increased the composite strength from 40 MPa to 128 MPa, however further increase in layers to 15 resulted decrease in strength to 100 MPa due to the poor interaction between the polyester resin and GF. The addition of f-MWCNTs in the composite effectively strengthens the interfacial bonding, which significantly improved the tensile and impact strength of the composite, making it tougher and thermally stable. However, further increase in the concentration of f-MWCNTs degraded the mechanical properties of developed composite such as compressive strength because of agglomeration of these nanoparticles and void formation in the composite.

Flexural analysis of hemp, kenaf and glass fibre-reinforced polyester resin

Abstract Natural fibres have a high potential to replace synthetic fibres such as glass in a variety of applications. However, natural fibre-reinforced composites still have some limitations with respect to the mechanical performance especially in high load bearing capabilities. The hybridization of natural fibres with synthetic fibres in the same matrix has proven to create a balancing effect and enhanced the composites performance. Besides that, fibre architectures that include fibres continuity, fibres orientation, fibres arrangement and fibres interlocking are also considered to enhance the overall performance of the composites. In this study, the hemp mat, kenaf mat and glass chopped strand mat were hybridised with woven glass fibres, respectively in polyester resin to form 12 systems of the composites. The hybridization effects of different fibre core material, fibre core thickness and fibre arrangement on flexural response were investigated according to ASTM D7264. The results indicated that hybrid CSM glass/woven glass composite showed the highest flexural strength and modulus compared to hemp/woven glass and kenaf/woven glass composites, with about 377.15 ± 48.41 MPa and 16.74 ± 7.15 GPa. Among natural fibres, kenaf fibre (2WG/K/2WG) composite showed better flexural properties compared to hemp fibre (2WG/H/2WG) composite. 2WG/2G/2WG composites with two plies of CSM glass showed maximum flexural properties. As for hemp/woven glass and kenaf/glass hybrid composites, the flexural properties reached a maximum value in system arrangement of (2:1:2) but it reduced in the system arrangement of (2:2:2) and (2:4:2). On the evaluation effect of fibre arrangement, hemp, kenaf and glass mat used as core (arrange in the middle; (2:2:2)) showed higher flexural properties as compared to the use as skin (arrange in outer; (1:4:1)). (2WG/2K/2WG) showed better flexural properties than (2WG/2H/2WG) as the core, while (H/4WG/H) showed better flexural properties than (K/4WG/K) as skin.

Fabrication, microstructural and mechanical properties of arecanut leaf sheath fibre reinforced polyester resin composites

Arecanut leaf sheath (ANLS) an unexplored agricultural biomass is used to recover long staple lignocellulosic fibers. A long staple lignocellulosic fiber is extracted from ANLS biomass using 8% NaOH treatment. As reinforcing material ANLS fibre properties such as fibre length, diameter, moisture content, single fibre strength and X-ray diffraction analysis were carried out. Three types of composites, 15, 20 and 25 (w/w)% fibre loading composites have been prepared in unsaturated polyester resin matrix. The tensile, flexural and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) properties and void content of these composites are studied. The tensile fracture behaviors of fibre and composites are studied with the help of scanning electron micrographs.

TENSILE BEHAVIOR AND STRENGTH OF STEEL PLATE BONDED WITH UV-CURABLE GLASS FIBER REINFORCED POLYESTER RESIN SHEET ON BOTH SIDES

Steel structures in social infrastructures often undergo corrosion and the thickness of these steel plates decreases. Then, the strength of steel structures decreases according to the residual plate thickness. Applications of a steel plate attaching method and a fiber reinforced polymer/plastic (FRP) bonding method are effective for repair and strengthening for these steel structures. In this study, UV-curable glass fiber reinforced polyester resin (UV-GFRPR) sheet was focused instead of FRPs. The aims of this study are to confirm repair and strengthening effects of the UV-GFRPR sheet bonded on both sides of steel plate. The UVGFRPR sheet consists of a polyester resin and chopped glass fibers and is hardened by radiation of UV source for a certain time. The tensile behavior and strength of steel plate bonded with UV-GFRPR sheets were assessed under axial tensile load. After that, the tensile behavior and strength of specimens were numerically estimated from each stress-strain curve of UV-GFRPR and steel modeled by using Menegotto-Pinto model. Furthermore, nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) taking into account of the properties of bond layers was carried out to compare the numerical results. From the test results, the yield and ultimate strengths of specimens increased linearly according to the number of laminated layers of UV-GFRPR. Both results of the numerical calculation and the FEA agreed well with the test results. It is concluded that the numerical calculation without the contribution of bond layers can estimate the tensile behavior and strength of steel plate bonded with UVGFRPR on both sides

Mechanical properties and water absorption behaviour of pineapple leaf fibre reinforced polymer composites

ABSTRACT In the present study fabrication of pineapple leaf fibre reinforced polyester resin composites was carried out by using hand layup process. Effect of pineapple leaf fibre loading in polyester resin composites on tensile, flexural, and water absorption behaviour properties was investigated. According to the rule of mixture, tensile and flexural properties increased with increasing pineapple leaf fibre loading. In the present scenario, some of the processes require improved mechanical properties of the materials. In this research work, pineapple leaf fibre is considered a reinforced material, and polyester resin is considered as a matrix material. It was observed that in tensile test, as the fibre content increases Young’s modulus also increases up to 2490 MPa at 40% Wt. In the flexural test, the flexural modulus increases up to 30% Wt. of fibre and again decreases with 40% Wt. fibre. As fibre content increases, the impact strength also increases with 40% wt. of fibre which was found to be 41 kJ/m2. As the fibre content increases the water absorption was found to be increasing.

Physical and mechanical properties, morphological behaviour of pineapple leaf fibre reinforced polyester resin composites

ABSTRACT The article focuses on the study of the physical, mechanical, and SEM of pineapple leaf fibre reinforced polyester composites. An investigation has been carried out in this relation to allow better use of PALF to manufacture value-added goods. Normal composites made from fibre are under intensive research because of their environmentally friendly nature and peculiar character. Their continuous supply is beneficial for natural fibres, simple to handle and naturally biodegradable. In this research, the hand lay up process was used to manufacture composites. SEM was used to clarify the topography of fibre, matrix adhesion, fibre breakage, and failure. Related with additional regular fibre composites based on cellulose, the PALF polyester composites have greater mechanical properties. It was also experiential that as the fibre content increase young’s modulus and tensile strength also increases and it was found to be 2545 MPa and 66 MPa, respectively, at 40 Wt. %. Even compression strength & hardness values also increase with an increase in the fibre content at 40 Wt. %. The compression strength of 23 MPa and hardness of 83 was recorded. This was observed with SEM where fibres and matrix have exposed well miscibility at 40 wt. % of PALF.

Physical and Mechanical Behavior of Hemp and Nettle Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Resin-based Hybrid Composites

ABSTRACT The present study proposes different types of composites using natural fibers and recognizes its physical and mechanical behavior by varying their proportion and also the hybrid composite of (hemp + nettle) fiber-reinforced polyester resin. Their physical properties are determined using morphological analysis. Mechanical properties (hardness, tensile, flexural, and impact-resistance) and the scanning electron microscopy for fractured surfaces were analyzed to test composite surfaces. It is concluded that the above composite composition leads to high mechanical properties, which can be proposed to be used in many applications in place of conventional natural fibers.

Low-cost small-scale distillation column: assessment of polymeric materials on its economic, chemical, mechanical, and environmental performance

Distillation columns can have high economic impact on small-scale ethanol production because their capital cost and, therefore, a lower investment in this equipment may turn it more feasible. The present work aims to assess the substitution of stainless steel and borosilicate glass by polymeric materials in the manufacturing of distillation columns. A decision tree was proposed, considering chemical, mechanical, thermal, and economic aspects. In addition, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to evaluate potential reduction on environmental impacts from columns manufactured with polymeric material. Tests were performed to investigate chemical resistance, including determination of the degree of swelling and characterizations by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, and exploratory scanning calorimetry. Mechanical properties were evaluated by 3-point bending tests. Polymeric materials were selected due to their lower cost in comparison with stainless steel, e.g., polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, and glass fiber-reinforced polyester resin. Results showed satisfactory chemical and mechanical resistance of these three polymers after contact with ethanol, and a 68% reduction in capital cost related to a manufacturing of distillation column with polypropylene. LCA results showed that replacing stainless steel and borosilicate glass by polypropylene in distillation column manufacturing would result in lower environmental impacts in all impact categories considered. A reduction in CO2eq emissions of 85% and 59% was observed when polypropylene replaced stainless steel and borosilicate glass, respectively.

Study on Tensile Strengths of Randomly Oriented Coir/Plantain Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polyester (CPFRP) Composites

This study focuses on determining the optimum tensile strengths of randomly oriented coir/plantain hybrid fiber reinforced polyester resin composites. The control factors of volume fraction, coupling agent and coir/plantain fiber ratio were used in forming the samples. Tensile test was conducted on the samples of Coir/plantain empty fruit bunch (CEFB) hybrid fibers and coir/plantain pseudo stem (CPS) hybrid fibers reinforced polyester resin composites respectively for the optimum tensile strengths. An OKH-600 Digital Display universal Testing Machine was used for conducting tensile tests in order to establish the control factor levels quality characteristics needed to optimize the mechanical properties being investigated. The highest signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) for the quality characteristics was investigated by applying Taguchi robust design technique for the greater-the-better. The optimum values of the control factors were established for CEFB and CPS hybrid fibers reinforced polyester resin composites. The CEFB hybrid fibers reinforced polyester resin composites has the optimum tensile strength of while CPS hybrid fibers reinforced polyester resin composites has the optimum tensile strength of . The control factors contributed greatly to the tensile strength; and the CEFB hybrid fibers reinforced polyester resin composites are less in tension than that of CPS hybrid fiber.

A Study on Tensile Strengths of Randomly Oriented Coir/Plantain Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polyester (CPFRP) Composites

This study focuses on determining the optimum tensile strengths of randomly oriented coir/plantain hybrid fiber reinforced polyester resin composites. The control factors of volume fraction, coupling agent and coir/plantain fiber ratio were used in forming the samples. Tensile test was conducted on the samples of Coir/plantain empty fruit bunch (CEFB) hybrid fibers and coir/plantain pseudo stem (CPS) hybrid fibers reinforced polyester resin composites respectively for the optimum tensile strengths. An OKH-600 Digital Display universal Testing Machine was used for conducting tensile tests in order to establish the control factor levels quality characteristics needed to optimize the mechanical properties being investigated. The highest signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) for the quality characteristics was investigated by applying Taguchi robust design technique for the greater-the-better. The optimum values of the control factors were established for CEFB and CPS hybrid fibers reinforced polyester resin composites. The CEFB hybrid fibers reinforced polyester resin composites has the optimum tensile strength of while CPS hybrid fibers reinforced polyester resin composites has the optimum tensile strength of . The control factors contributed greatly to the tensile strength; and the CEFB hybrid fibers reinforced polyester resin composites are less in tension than that of CPS hybrid fiber.

Semi-active vibration control of MRF core PMC cantilever sandwich beams: Experimental study

The semi-active vibration control of sandwich beams made of chopped strand mat glass fiber reinforced polyester resin polymer matrix composite (PMC) and magnetorheological fluid (MRF) core were experimentally investigated in this study. Two-, four- and six-layered glass fiber reinforced polyester resin polymer matrix composites were prepared using the hand-layup technique. The magnetorheological fluid was prepared in-house with 30% volume of carbonyl iron powder and 70% volume of silicone oil. Nine cantilever sandwich beams of varying thicknesses of the top and bottom layers glass fiber reinforced polyester resin polymer matrix composite beams and middle magnetorheological fluid core were prepared. The magnetorheological fluid core was activated with a non-homogeneous magnetic field using permanent magnets. The first three modes, natural frequencies and damping ratios of the glass fiber reinforced polyester resin polymer matrix composite-magnetorheological fluid core sandwich beams were determined through free vibration analysis using DEWESoft modal analysis software. The amplitude frequency response of the glass fiber reinforced polyester resin polymer matrix composite-magnetorheological fluid core sandwich beams through forced vibration analysis was determined using LabVIEW. The effect of various parameters such as magnetic flux density, thickness of glass fiber reinforced polyester resin polymer matrix composite layers and magnetorheological fluid core layer on the natural frequencies, damping ratio and vibration amplitude suppressions of the glass fiber reinforced polyester resin polymer matrix composite-magnetorheological fluid core sandwich beams was investigated. Based on the results obtained, 2 mm thickness top and bottom layers glass fiber reinforced polyester resin polymer matrix composite and 5 mm thickness magnetorheological fluid core sample have achieved a high shift in increased natural frequency, damping ratio and vibration amplitude suppression under the influence of magnetic flux density.

Sub- and supercritical D-limonene technology as a green process to recover glass fibres from glass fibre-reinforced polyester composites

Recycling of post-consumed composites based on thermosets reinforced with glass fibre (GF) uses different methods such as mechanical processing, high voltage fragmentation, thermal, and chemical treatments. Chemical treatments are a more interesting methodology because they allow the recovery of cleaner and polymeric matrices free glass fibres. However, depending on the solvent employed, limitations in chemical treatments such as a decrease in mechanical properties and low rate GF recovery are very common. In this paper, an original and green technology is proposed to overcome these limitations. Such technology uses D-limonene at sub- or supercritical conditions (ScD-limonene) in the absence of catalysts or auxiliary molecules, such as supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO2), making the process more eco-friendly and so contributing to sustainability when compared to other processes that use catalysts or auxiliary molecules. Recovering almost 100% GF and preventing the deterioration or loss of properties, of the recovered GF (RGF) were achieved while the partially degraded resin can be separated and reused as a charge material in new composite formulations. Recycling glass fibre-reinforced polyester resin at composite/solvent (at sub-supercritical conditions) ratios up to 0.15 g mL−1 was possible due to the high solvation power of sub- and supercritical D-limonene. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and tensile strength analyses revealed that RGF exhibits morphological, chemical, and mechanical reinforcing capabilities comparable to virgin GF (VGF). Mass spectrometry of the resin residue (after sub- or supercritical D-limonene treatment) showed predominant fragmentation-patterns inferring the occurrence of partial degradation. The results found in this study, such as short reaction times of 45–60 min, and high recovery efficiencies ≈100%, are highly desirable for practical purposes. Furthermore, the preservation of the mechanical reinforcing properties of RGF at 64–85%, the ease of separation of the products, and solvent reuse, make this technology promising as compared to others. Based on the obtained results, ScD-limonene treatment can be employed as an efficient and eco-friendly strategy to recover GF from waste materials.

Fabrication and characterization of TiO2 particulate filled agave Americana fiber-reinforced polyester resin composites

Purpose In this study, TiO2 is used to enhance the mechanical properties of the composite material containing agave Americana fiber and polyester resin. Design/methodology/approach Agave Americana fiber was first treated with 5% of NaOH, and the composition of treated and untreated fiber was kept constant, whereas the particulate and resin were alternatively used. The handlay method is used to fabricate the composite plates. The morphology of the composites was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Findings The composite was composed of 30% treated agave Americana, 10% of TiO2 particulates and 60% of a polyester resin for better and enhanced mechanical properties. Practical implications The composite can be used for aero-structural components, automobile components and other areas where light-weight components are required. Originality/value A new type of agave Americana fiber with TiO2 and polyester resin composite was fabricated and investigated.

Effect of NaOH Concentration Treatment on Tensile Strength, Flexure Strength and Elasticity Modulus of Banana Fiber Reinforced Polyester Resin

Banana fiber is agricultural waste that can be obtained after harvesting the fruit with no additional cost. Banana fiber has major drawbacks in composite product such as low interfacial bond strength between fiber and matrix as comparison with synthetic fiber. The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of alkaline concentration treatment conditions on tensile strength and flexural strength properties of banana fiber reinforced polyester resin composite. Banana fiber was treated using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment. There are four variations of NaOH concentration treatment, 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% for 1 hour immersion time at room temperature. Hand lay-up technique was used in composite fabrication with 40% fiber volume fraction at random orientation of banana fiber. Based on this research result can be concluded that composite with NaOH treatment has a better tensile strength and flexural strength if compared with untreated fiber. Banana fiber composite treated with 5% NaOH concentration show the highest tensile and elasticity modulus, and also flexural strength and flexural modulus better compare the other treatment. Banana fiber composite specimens on macro picture observation show that the untreated fiber has a lot of fiber pull-out, it is occur the weak interfacial bond between matix and fiber. On the other hand, the treated banana fiber composite shows a slight fiber pull out, because composite has high interfacial bond between matrix and fiber.

Mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced polyester resin for use as the wall of the Acehnese boat ‘Thep-Thep’

Fiber composites are very commonly used for engineering applications nowadays. The product has begun to enter the field of boat and ship manufacturing. An Acehnese traditional boat known as thep-thep, which has a capacity of 3 GT, is a means of transportation used in Aceh waters. This study focuses on the mechanical properties of the material used for the structure and walls of the thep-thep. Specimens are made from materials with E-glass fiber reinforced polyester resin. The hand lay-up method is used in the process of making the specimens, applied with a pressure of 25 kg/cm2 for 24 hours. This study aimed to obtain higher mechanical properties using composites of layers of chopped strand mat (CSM) fibers and woven roving mat (WRM) fibers with a ratio of 1:0, 1:1, and 2:1, respectively. Tensile testing is done using the ASTM D3039-00 standard. From the tensile test data obtained from several different composite ratios, the highest composite is found at around 49.2 MPa. An increase in the number of fiber layers makes the fiber composites more reliable to be the raw material in the making of the Acehnese boat thep-thep.

Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Marble Powder and Kenaf Fibre Reinforced Polyester Resin Composites

Kenaf fibre is one of the strongest natural fibres in the world today. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to create a new composite of Kenaf fibres combined with marble waste powder. The incorporation of marble powders and Kenaf fibres using a matrix of a polyester resin type has never been done. Thus, this study aims to create and test various composite material composites (mixture of matrix, marble powder and Kenaf fibre) which will produce different mechanical properties and obtain good tensile strength in test specimens with several composition variations. Preparation of test specimens was carried out with 4 (four) compositions of matrix mix and marble powder; 50:50, 60:40, 70:30 and 80:20 with the weight of Kenaf fibre is fixed 2 gram. The largest tensile test value is 63,407 MPa, obtained from 80:20 composition with the largest E value 3,03GPa. The largest compression test value is 33.49, obtained from the composition of 60:40 with the largest E value of 2,35GPa. The largest bending test value is 19.80 MPa, obtained from the composition of 80:20 with the largest E value of 36,55GPa. From the research results of tensile test, compression test, and bending test which possess good value is between 60:40 and 70:30 of composition ratio.

In-and-out-of plane mechanical properties of hand lay-up vegetal fiber reinforced polyester resin composites

In-and-out-of plane mechanical properties of hand lay-up vegetal fiber reinforced polyester resin composites