Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites Research Articles

Mechanical, absorption, and swelling properties of jute/kenaf/banana reinforced epoxy hybrid composites: Influence of various stacking sequences

AbstractThe effect of jute, kenaf, and banana fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites with different stacking sequences were fabricated by compression molding techniques. The pure epoxy, pure jute, pure kenaf, pure banana composites are also fabricated for comparison purposes. Tensile, flexural, inter‐laminar shear strengths, and hardness properties of the fabricated composites were investigated. Physical parameters like density, water absorption, and thickness swelling were also examined. From mechanical properties, the results are evident that when compared to hybrid composites pure banana composites have the highest tensile, flexural, interlaminar shear strength and shore D hardness value of 41, 67, 18, and 86 MPa respectively. Also, pure banana composites have better water absorption and thickness swelling percentage of 4% and 1.6%. However, KBJJBK hybrid composites exhibit a maximum tensile strength of 34 MPa, flexural strength of 54 MPa. Further BJKKJB hybrid composites possess the highest hardness value of 87, intralaminar shear strength of 17 MPa and lowest water absorption of 8% and thickness swelling percentage of 2%. Certain pure and hybrid configuration have enhanced mechanical strength, stiffness, and lower water absorption and thickness swelling properties, indicating that they are suitable for automotive structural applications.

Influence of Nano-Silica on the Mechanical Properties of Jute/Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites

Natural composites have gained importance recently due to increasing environmental factors and relatively low cost. Although their biodegradability, low density, and high processability, the use of natural fibers in composite materials as the only reinforcement phase faces with some challenges due to their disadvantages such as high moisture absorption and low mechanical properties. To overcome these issues, the natural fibers are generally utilized in composite materials by synthesizing with synthetic fibers. In this context, jute/epoxy composites have been hybridized with glass fiber layers and nano-silica particles to improve low mechanical properties, and the contributions of hybridization on mechanical properties are investigated through performing tensile, bending, and impact tests. Nano-silica particles in the ratio of 1%, 2%, and 3% by weight have been used in composite production. Three different hybrid configurations (G1J6G1, J3G2J3, J2G1J2G1J2) are tested as well as pure jute/epoxy and pure glass/epoxy composites. According to the experimental results, nano-silica additive has a significant effect on both non-hybrid and hybrid fiber reinforced composites. By using the glass fiber layer on the outer surface, the
 highest tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact behavior have been achieved in the G1J6G1 hybrid configuration.

Influence of stacking sequence on flax/kevlar hybrid epoxy composites: Mechanical and morphological studies

AbstractIn this research work, the natural fiber reinforced hybrid epoxy composites were fabricated using the hand lay‐up method. The flax and kevlar are used as a reinforcement and epoxy as a binding material. This study aims to analyze the influence of stacking sequence and hybridization on the mechanical, water absorption, and morphological properties of polymer composites. The results reveal that the neat kevlar reinforced composite achieved a maximum tensile strength, modulus, and impact strength of 189.94 MPa, 2345.35 MPa and 37.16 kJ/m2 respectively with less water absorption behavior. Whereas, the hybrid composite with kevlar as an outer layers and flax as core layers was exhibited a maximum flexural strength, modulus, and inter laminar shear strength of 360.76, 37124.2, and 213.51 MPa, respectively. The water absorption percentage was more in neat natural flax reinforced epoxy composite due to its more hydrophilic nature. The scanning electron microscope analysis reveals the proper bonding and adhesion of both kevlar and flax fabrics with the epoxy matrix.

Mechanical property analysis of nanocarbon particles/glass fiber reinforced hybrid epoxy composites using RSM

This work aimed at the development of epoxy-based hybrid polymer matrix composites using a hand layup with clamp loading technique. Epoxy reinforced with glass fiber (stranded mat) and nanocarbon particles at different weight fractions were developed. Investigation on impact strength and flexural strength were studied and compared using response surface methodology (RSM). It is found that the percentage of reinforcement has a significant influence in the case of both flexural and impact strength. Hybrid composite with both glass fiber and carbon nanoparticles exhibited higher flexural and impact strength.

Influence of nano-silica on mechanical properties of Indian almond fiber reinforced hybrid epoxy composites

ABSTRACT Natural fiber reinforced composites are useful in engineering applications as energy saving material due to their light weight. However, the lower mechanical properties limit it service compared to conventional material. Hence, the purpose of this study is to improve the mechanical properties of the natural fiber composites using nano-silica particles. Indian almond fiber-based epoxy composite was manufactured with different quantity of nano-silica. Totally, five materials were fabricated namely E (Epoxy), EI (Epoxy/Indian almond), EIS1 (Epoxy/Indian almond/0.5 wt% silica), EIS2 (Epoxy/Indian almond/1 wt% silica), and EIS3 (Epoxy/Indian almond/2 wt% silica) by conventional hand layup technique. Mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness were tested. Further, water absorption behavior of the materials was analyzed to understand the dimensional stability of the material. Results showed that EIS3 composite exhibited the higher tensile strength of 77 MPa, flexural strength of 109 MPa, impact strength of 4.31 KJ/m2, and hardness of 93 shore D. Mechanical properties of EIS3 composites were improved due to the reinforcing effect of Indian almond fiber (40 wt%) and nano-silica (2 wt%). Water absorption study showed that the EI composite displayed the maximum water absorption of 14.6% at the soaking time of 6 hours due to hydrophilic tendency of fiber. This investigation concludes that EIS3 composite could be applicable in engineering applications for constructional work owing to its improved performance.

Effect of fiber stacking sequence and orientation on quasi- static indentation properties of sustainable hybrid carbon/ramie fiber epoxy composites

Hybrid polymer composites reinforced with synthetic and natural fibers are gaining more interest in current composite technology in an effort to promote sustainability without sacrificing the performance of synthetic fiber reinforced polymer composites. The goal of this study is to see how the fiber stacking sequence of carbon and ramie fiber, as well as the orientation of ramie fiber, affects the quasi-static indentation behaviour of carbon/ramie fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites. The hybrid composite specimens were made using a hand layup approach followed by a hot pressing process. The quasi-static indentation properties of carbon/ramie fiber reinforcements in epoxy matrix were investigated using a hemispherical indenter at varying indenter displacement rates of 10, 20, and 30 ​mm/min for the stated stacking sequence and orientation. The indentation resistance qualities of carbon/ramie fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites were evaluated in terms of indentation force, hybrid composite specimen energy absorption capability, and hybrid composite specimen damage caused by hemispherical indenter penetration. The results reveal that a carbon/ramie fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composite with 5 ramie fiber layers has better energy absorption capabilities, absorbing 114.926 ​J at a 20 ​mm/min indentation rate. Similarly, the indentation force in hybrid composites increases as the number of carbon/ramie fiber layers increases. These results indicate that carbon/ramie fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites have a great potential towards low velocity impact applications.

Flexure and interlaminar shear properties of ramie/ silk fibre epoxy hybrid composite

Hybrid composites are replacing conventional materials in fields such as aircraft, mechanical, space, construction, and medicinal applications. However, the desire to obtain a higher modulus to density ratio remains unfulfilled. In this work, natural fibre reinforced hybrid epoxy composites were chosen and manufactured utilising a manual lay-up approach. As reinforcing materials, ramie and silk fibres in plain weave are used. All produced composites with mechanical qualities (flexural and ILSS properties) were tested using known test procedures. Ramie fibre inserted at the top and bottom of the hybrid laminate was revealed to have superior mechanical properties, making it a viable alternative to traditional fibre composites in a variety of applications. During mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy was utilised to do a morphological investigation of the cracked surface, which provides information about the process of composite failures under mechanical loadings of different types.

Comparative analysis of Basalt/E-Glass/S2-Fibreglass-Carbon fiber reinforced epoxy laminates using finite element method

This paper aims to numerically analyse (using finite element methods) the static loading effects on basalt/E-glass/S2-fibreglass-carbon fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid composites, an alternative to the conventional and expensive pure carbon fibre epoxy composites. Structural properties of few hybrid composites are evaluated through static tests for validation purpose. The composite specimens comprising of four layers of carbon fibre and four layers of either basalt/E-glass/S2-fibreglass combined with LY556 resin in six varying stacking sequences are analysed for failure based on Tsai-Wu failure criteria. Commercial finite element software ANSYS Composite PrepPost (ACP) and ANSYS Mechanical were employed for this study. All specimen dimensions, boundary conditions and loading were adopted as per ASTM Standards. Results and discussion are followed by a significant comparison of static test results between basalt, E-glass, and S2-fibreglass each combined with carbon fibre epoxy. Finally, the optimal stacking sequence was found to be S2 - [02C/±45 M/0M]S. Basalt-carbon hybrids produced superior results in tensile and flexural tests while the brittle glass-carbon hybrids proved to be better in compression and in-plane shear. Laminates with carbon fibre at the outer layers showed improved performance among contemporaries.

Erosion characteristics of epoxy-based Jute, Kenaf and Banana fibre reinforced hybrid composites

In this research work erosion characteristics of bio-based fibres such as jute, kenaf, banana fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid composites were experimentally investigated. Hybrid composites with different stacking sequences of fibres were fabricated by compression moulding method. Erosion wear behavior of hybrid composites were studied using air jet erosion tester as per the ASTM G76 standards. The effect of impingement angle, and exposure duration on the erosion rate of the hybrid composites were analyzed. The results indicated that the erosion rate of hybrid composites increased with the increase in exposure times. Further, maximum erosion rate was observed at 60° of impingement angle for majority of the composite specimens. This proves hybrid composites are semi ductile materials in nature.

Production of Bamboo Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composite with Nano SiO2 Particles

This paper focus on the process of fiber reinforced composites a significant portion of the paper emphasis the use ofdifferent machine, basic concept introduced in this paper of molding method and pouring of epoxy, hardener and nano silicamixture with hand lay-up technique. This study aims to develop fibre-reinforced epoxy hybrid composites by using handlay-up method. In this work different material used are Epoxy LY556, Hardner HY951, SiO2 nano particle (Particle size60-70nm) and 90 degree bidirectionl wooven bamboo fibre. Sample designated are as A10 ( One layer Babboo fibre,0% SiO2) , A12 (2%SiO2), A14 (4%SiO2),B20 (Two-layer bamboo fibre,0% SiO2), B22(2%SiO2), B24(4%SiO2), C30(three layer bamboo fibre, 0% SiO2),C32(2%SiO2) and C34(4%SiO2). Samples were prepared by handlayup method. Theeffect of various weight percent of SiO2on mechanical property were investigated. The maximum value of tensile strengthwas found for sample C32, higher value of flexural strength was found for sample C32, higher value of izod impact test wasfor sample C32 and maximum value of barcol hardness was for sample B22.

Effect of Sunflower Seeds Husk, Peanut Shell Husk and Vegetable Oils on the Tribological Performance of Basalt Chopped Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid-Composites

Effect of Sunflower Seeds Husk, Peanut Shell Husk and Vegetable Oils on the Tribological Performance of Basalt Chopped Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid-Composites

Mechanical Properties of Luffa Cylindrica and Coconut Coir Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composite

Abstract: In the current day scenario all the researchers and engineers are searching for a better and cheaper alternative for the current engineering materials. The project deals with the low cost, light weight and biodegradable composites and their use in the current industries. Substituting the legacy fiber reinforced composites with the low-cost natural plant- based fibers reinforced composites help us achieve comparative mechanical properties. India has a quite rich source of natural plant-based fibers which can be used for the production of natural fiber reinforced composites. In this project we used a combination of luffa fibers and coir fibers to produce an epoxy hybrid composite. The current project explores two different problems related to the natural fiber reinforced hybrid composite: 1) Study of mechanical properties of the hybrid thermosetting composite. 2) Study of possibilities of use of natural fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites in the different industries

Investigation of bio degradable natural fibers reinforced hybrid composites for aircraft structures

Nowadays, composite materials are used in many applications as a replacement for conservative material. As a result, the development of industrial technologies, to track the development of resourceful material structures, an alternative is compulsory. The focus of the current study is to explore and compare the mechanical properties of Sisal and banana fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites. For better results in mechanical properties, Sisal fibers are hybrid with banana fibers. The sisal and banana fibers with various weight ratios like 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, 16%, and 10% (Banana fiber) 5% (Sisal fiber) is mixed with the epoxy resin matrix. The hardness, tensile, flexural, impact tests are carried out using fabricated composite specimens. This research work is evidence that the mixture of sisal and banana fiber epoxy composites around 22% by results in weight level increased mechanical properties and decreased moisture absorption properties. These methods of improving the bonding among the reinforcement and matrix, the effect of orientation, the effect due to the size of the fibers, and the percentage reinforcement have been studied.

Evaluation of Wear Properties and Water Absorption Behavior of Banana and Sisal Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites: Influence of Fiber Length

ABSTRACT The natural fiber composites are emerging as replacement materials in wide engineering fields. In this work, banana, sisal, and banana-sisal fibers of three different fiber lengths namely 3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm are used as reinforcements in the epoxy matrix. The composite samples are prepared by using the injection molding technique. Frictional and wear characteristics of the composites are evaluated under dry operating conditions with the parameters like applied load (15–35 N), sliding speed (300–500 rpm) for a duration of 15 mins. Water absorption characteristics are studied at an interval of 6 days for a duration of 120 days. The results indicate that the incorporation of fibers at different lengths influences frictional force, coefficient of friction and specific wear rate of the composites to an extent. Frictional force and specific wear rate are greater at higher loads. Banana-sisal hybrid fiber composites are showing amplified coefficient of friction and specific wear rate than other composites. Composites made of Sisal fibers (12.4%) are showing more resistance to water absorption than banana (21.5%) and banana-Sisal (15.4%) fibers. SEM images explores the wear characteristics of testing surface with presence of micro cutting, fiber breakage, voids, and debris.

Effect of surface treatment on tensile and buckling characteristics of natural fibre based hybrid composites

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites have raised their potential in different fields due to their high strength to weight ratio, abundantly available in nature and bio-degradable characteristics. The aim of present study is to familiarize the mechanical characteristics such as tensile properties and buckling strength of treated and untreated bamboo/nettle fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites. Also volume fraction of fiber and matrix was kept at 70%-30% in which 40% of nettle and 30% of bamboo fibers were used in this investigation. Bamboo and nettle fabrics were cut and immersed in 10% NaOH (sodium hydroxide) solution for 6 hrs to improve their surface morphology. Samples of several bamboo-nettle based natural hybrids were fabricated using vacuum bag technique where the layers of fabrics are placed alternately. Specimens are cut from the fabricated hybrid laminates for tensile test and buckling test as per ASTM standards. For tensile and buckling test samples were cut in the form of dog-bone shape and rectangular panels respectively. The tensile and buckling tests were performed using computerized UTM. The tensile and buckling values are computed for treated and untreated fiber composite to perceive the change in length. Result shows that alkali treated fiber composite has better tensile and buckling properties as compared to untreated fiber composites. This is due better interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix leads to increase of composite properties.

Mechanical and physical performance of date palm/bamboo fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid composites

Date palm fibre is considered as an agricultural waste suitable as reinforcement for polymeric composites has received interest as an interior component in the automotive industry. The aim of this work to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of date palm fibre (leaf stalk, tree trunk, fruit stalk and leaf sheath) reinforced epoxy composites and date palm/bamboo hybrid composites suitable for non-structural and semi-structural applications. The different composites were fabricated using a hand lay-up technique in combination with compression moulding method. Date palm fibre/bamboo hybrid composite, and pure composites were characterized by various mechanical testing such as tensile, flexural and low-velocity impact testing. Exposure to liquid water and environmental conditions affect the durability of biobased composites. The water absorption behaviour and its effects on the thickness swelling, changes in density and physical performance of different composites were further investigated. The experimental results of the date palm fibre/bamboo hybrid composite exhibited the highest mechanical properties compared to date palm fibre composite without hybridisation. The tensile strength, flexural strength and impact toughness values for the date palm/bamboo hybrid composite were recorded at 39.16 MPa, 61.10 MPa and 12.70 J/m, respectively. Interestingly, the physical test of thickness swelling and water absorption results has indicated that date palm fibre/bamboo hybrid composite displayed 27.68% and 15.39% less when compared with single date palm fibre composite. Therefore, the results have discovered that the date palm fibre/bamboo hybrid composite has the prospective to be applied as a non-structural and semi-structural components.

Effect of Silicon Carbide on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Snake Grass/Sisal Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Epoxy Composites

In this study, an attempt was made to develop and characterize Snake Grass Fiber (SGF)/Silicon Carbide (SiC)/epoxy and Snake Grass Fiber/Sisal Fiber (SF)/Silicon Carbide/epoxy hybrid composites using a compression moulding technique. Mechanical characteristics of the produced hybrid composites such as tensile, flexural, and hardness tests were analyzed. Also experiments have been carried out to predict the thermal stability of the fabricated composite samples. The interface between fiber and matrix was examined by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Among SGF/SiC/epoxy and SGF/SF/SiC/epoxy composites, it has been observed that hybrid composite SGF/SF/SiC/epoxy exhibits the higher hardness of 82 Shore-D, tensile strength of 51 MPa and flexural strength of 73 MPa. In contrast to the mechanical properties, the percentage of water absorption was lower in the SGF/SiC/epoxy hybrid composite. It is proven from the results that the SGF/SF/SiC/epoxy hybrid composites will enhance the strength of the composites. This composite material is also a potential candidate for the hardware of energy devices including electrochemical energy along with Fuel Cell systems.

Influence of POSS nanoparticles on the microstructure and mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites

AbstractThe possibility to design composites with superior properties by incorporation of nanoscale reinforcing material still remains to be fulfilled. In the current study, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether‐based epoxy resin has been successfully modified with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles to give epoxy/POSS nanocomposites. Carbon fiber reinforced composites with different fiber orientations are processed via vacuum bagging technique using this composite as the matrix. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that POSS nanofillers homogeneously distributed in the matrix. As proved by the tensile, flexural, and interlaminar shear strength tests, the inclusion of POSS nanofillers in the polymer matrix has promoted significant improvements in the mechanical properties of the carbon fiber reinforced POSS/epoxy hybrid composites compared to the analogues with neat epoxy matrix. Thus, hybrid composites with exceptional properties are obtained via a straightforward modification in the matrix and a novel paradigm without using any expensive compound has been added to the library of nanocomposite formulations.

Studies on physico-mechanical behaviour of kenaf/glass fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites

In this study, various treated, untreated, and treated kenaf/glass fiber composites were fabricated using epoxy resin. A portion of kenaf fibers were subjected to treatment with alkali, sub-portion was taken for benzoyl peroxide and potassium permanganate prior to composite fabrication. This treatment on the composite material was undertaken to achieve improved modification of the interface between the matrix and fiber bond. A portion of the glass fiber was used for enhancing the mechanical properties of the hybrid composite. The tensile strength, flexural, density, water absorption and chemical resistance of the composites were analyzed using standard methods. FTIR was conducted on the fiber to ascertain the chemical treatment on the fibers, FESEM was used for the morphological study. The results obtained showed that the tensile and flexural strength improved from 46.45-298.3 kgf, and 10.5-54.7 kgf, respectively, in the composite samples. Chemical resistance of the kenaf fiber treated potassium permanganate composite improved compared to the untreated fiber composite in both cases. The density and water absorption properties of the composites were found to decrease in the treated fibers compared to untreated fiber composites, this treated composites showed less water absorption and density. The FTIR result revealed that reaction has taken place between the fiber and the treatment reagent. Hence, fiber modification has improved the properties of the composites due to increase in fiber-matrix interaction.
 
 KEY WORDS: Chemical properties, Epoxy resin, Hybrid, Kenaf, Mechanical strength, Natural fiber
 
 Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(1), 171-184.
 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i1.15

The effect of fibre contents on mechanical and moisture absorption properties of gourd sponge/coir fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid composites

The present investigation deals with matured sponge gourd which has been amalgamated with coconut coir as reinforcement along with epoxy resin as matrix in a composite. This study has been carried out to explore the impact of change in weight percentages of sponge gourd fiber and coir on the mechanical properties and moisture affinity. The experiments revealed that the tensile and impact strength increases with coir addition, whereas, flexural strength increases with sponge fiber content. The maximum moisture resistance was achieved when the sponge fiber and coir content was equal by weight.