Hand Lay-up Process Research Articles

Effect of fiber content and orientation on mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with jute and Kevlar

This work deals with the fabrication of Epoxy polymer matrix hybrid composites by reinforcing jute and Kevlar fiber using hand lay-up process. The hybrid composites contain a fixed weight percentage of 20% of Kevlar whereas the amount of jute was varied with epoxy. The effect of fiber loading and orientation on the tensile and flexural strength was evaluated. Different orientation i.e. 0°, 30°, 45°, and 60° were incorporated for fabrication of the polymer composite. The tensile strength was seen to be maximum for 40% fiber loading with 30° orientation whereas the flexural strength was observed to be maximum for 40% fiber loading with 45° fiber orientation for the polymer composites. The fiber loading for 50% composites exhibited higher void content. Fiber cracking and pull out were characterized by the tensile fracture morphology of the composites.

Extraction and characterization of vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) and kenaf fiber (Hibiscus cannabinus) as reinforcement materials for epoxy based composite structures

The study deals with the mechanical characterization of vetiver grass fiber and kenaf fiber reinforced epoxy-based hybrid composites. Five types of composite laminates were developed through the hand lay-up process by varying the percentage of vetiver grass and kenaf fibers. The tensile, flexural, compression and impact tests were conducted as per ASTM. The fractured surfaces of the tested specimens were studied using a scanning electron microscope. From the results, it was shown that properties of epoxy composites were improved by hybridization with vetiver grass and kenaf fibers. The improved mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composites were noticed in increment of percentage composition of kenaf fibers.

Influence of wood dust fillers on the mechanical, thermal, water absorption and biodegradation characteristics of jute fiber epoxy composites

The present work deals with the influence of wood dust namely Rosewood and Padauk in the jute fiber-based epoxy composites. The work involves the fabrication of four different laminates of jute-epoxy composites using hand layup process with varying proportions of Rosewood and Padauk wood dust fillers compared with the composite in the absence of filler. The characterization of the mechanical and thermal properties was carried out by tensile, compression, flexural, shore D hardness, impact and thermogravimetric analysis as per ASTM. It is inferred from the test results that the mechanical properties got enhanced by the fine distribution of Padauk wood dust particles by improved adhesion with the matrix. The coarse structure of Rosewood dust over the composite improved thermal stability. Scanning Electron Microscopy was utilized to study the fractured interfaces of the mechanically tested composites. Furthermore, the developed composites affinity towards moisture and biodegradation were studied using water adsorption and biodegradability tests.

Effect of Laser Shock Peening on the Fatigue Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials

In this study, Laser Shock Peening (LSP) effect on the polymeric composite materials has been investigated experimentally. Polymeric composite materials are widely used because they are easy to fabricate and have many attractive features. Unsaturated polyester resin as a matrix was selected and Aluminum powder with micro particles as a reinforcement material was used with different volume fraction (2.5%, 5% and 7.5%). Hand lay-up process was used for preparation the composites. Fatigue test with constant amplitude with stress ratio (R =-1) was carried out before and after LSP process with two levels of energy (1Joule and 2Joule). The result showed an increase in the endurance strength of 25.448% at 7.5% volume fraction when peened is 1J laser energy. Also, the ultimate strength and Young’s modulus were increased by 6.474% and 10.588% respectively after LSP with the same laser energy. On the other hand, composites with (2.5% and 5%) volume fraction manifested a reduction in the mechanical and fatigue strength especially when treated by 2J laser energy.

Mechanical Behavior of Polymer Resin Composites Reinforced with Banana Fiber

The present work investigates the tensile and flexural strength of natural banana fiber composites. Natural fibers have incontrovertible advantages over synthetic reinforcing materials such as non-toxicity, low density, low cost, comparable durability, and limited waste disposal issues. Banana fiber reinforced composites are being prepared in the current experiment and the strength properties of these composites have been evaluated. Using the hand lay-up process, the composite specimens with variable fiber lengths were prepared and pressed at room temperature. Mechanical testing such as tensile, flexural are applied to the specimens. Analysis of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) is performed to examine fiber matrix interfaces and to analyze the fractured surface structure.

Processing and Testing of Epoxy Polymer Composites using Tender Palm Shoot Fiber and Aluminium Particles as Hybrid Reinforcements

Every year tons of plant and animal wastes are produced in the world. Some of these waste products may find some potential application in our day-to-day life. Also pure polymers are non-biodegradable and usually don’t possess requisite mechanical strength. For the first time, tender palm shoots are used as fiber reinforcement in the epoxy resin. The main objective is to compare and fabricate natural fiber reinforced hybrid epoxy composites with tender palm shoots, palymra fiber, as natural reinforcements which are generally leftovers and Aluminium powder as conductive filler by hand lay-up process at various weight percentages. Different mechanical properties, water absorption characteristics, flammability and electrical conductivity are evaluated as per ASTM standards. The test results show that these composites can be used as alternative materials for low tensile and high impact applications.

Mode I fracture toughness analysis of rubber particulate epoxy composite

Abstract Tyres cannot be used in automobiles after completing their functional life. Every year one billion tyres are withdrawn from use in automobiles. In this study, rubber particulates obtained from waste tyres are used as reinforcement material in this composite. A new class of polymer composite is prepared using rubber particulate and epoxy resin as matrix material. Composite plates are manufactured by hand layup process. The five different volume fraction of rubber particulates are taken with epoxy resin material to fabricate composite plate. Then composite specimens are cut according to ASTM standard and Mode I fracture toughness test is carried out for the five test specimens. Test results show significant improvement in fracture toughness value for the increase in volume fraction of rubber particulate in epoxy material.

Erosion behaviour of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) reinforced epoxy composites

This paper deals with the manufacture and examination of tribological properties of epoxy composites reinforced with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanopowder. The composites had prepared with five different proportions of g-C3N4 nanopowder using a hand layup process. Comparison of tribological properties has made between the composites laid at different percentages of g-C3N4 in epoxy. The results showed the maximum erosion resistance of g-C3N4 particulate polymer matrix for 3% filler content. Also, by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the erosion morphology analysis is done on the internal structures of the specimen.

Enhancing The Mechanical Properties o f Chopped Basalt Composites b y Incorporating o f Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes

This study aims to develop and determine mechanical properties chopped basalt fibre reinforced composites (CBFRP) modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT). Chopped basalt composite modified with CNT was fabricated using a combination of mechanical stirring and hand layup process. Three different weight percentages of CNT i.e. 0.5, 1, 1.5wt. % were filled into epoxy resin before mixing with chopped basalt fiber. The mechanical performance namely tensile properties and fracture toughness behaviour of the fabricated chopped basalt composites was assessed using Universal Testing Machine in accordance to ASTM standard D368 and D695, respectively. The results showed that the incorporation of CNT enhanced tensile and fracture toughness properties of the CBFRP composites. However, a higher amount of CNT (1.5wt%) incorporated into the CBFRP caused reduction in tensile strength, tensile modulus and Gic by 4.40%, 2.46% and 30.36 %, respectively, as compared to those of 1.0CNT-CBFRP.

Enhancement of Mechanical Properties in Carbon Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composite with and without graphite powder

The use of composite material in engineering field is increasing day by day. Composite materials are largely replacing conventional metals nowadays due to their mechanical behaviours. Among all composite materials carbon fibre reinforced composites are of greater interest due to their high strength. There are several new developments made in carbon fibre composites like carbon nanotubes, carbon black etc.. in order to increase the composite strength. In this research, we are going to analyse the strength of the carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composite by using graphite powder as an additive material because of its negligible weight and hardness nature. Generally, composites were prepared by hand layup process. Specifically the tensile, the flexural and the impact properties are taken into the consideration. Three different specimens are prepared and tested for the above strengths. The first specimen is carbon fibre epoxy composite without any addition of graphite powder (filler material). The second one is carbon composite with 5% addition of graphite powder as a filler material and the last specimen is of carbon fibre composite with 10% addition of graphite powder. The above mentioned strengths are calculated for each specimen with the help of a Universal Testing Machine and Impact Tester. Specimen 3 shows greater strengths whereas Specimen 1 shows least strength among all the three specimens. The inclusion of graphite powder in the carbon composite shows increase in the mechanical properties of the resulting specimens.

Mechanical Behaviour of Coir and Wood Dust Particulate Reinforced Hybrid Polymer Composites

Nowadays polymer composites are emerged material which is used for extensive variety of applications because of their exclusive and beautiful characters. They have high durability, high strength-to-weight ratio and abrasion resistance. In this study the mechanical characteristics of coir and wood dust particle reinforced polyester composites using hand layup process were analyzed. The prepared composites were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope and also the mechanical behaviors such as tensile strength and flexural strength were estimated using computerized testing machine.

In situ damage precursor detection in fiber reinforced composites using anthracene-based mechanophore

A pioneering approach to in situ damage precursor detection in fiber reinforced polymer composites is developed using anthracene-based stress-sensitive mechanophore material. In this research, the anthracene-based mechanophore, which emits ultraviolet (UV) excited fluorescence on chemical bond breakage under the influence of external mechanical loads, is effectually used as a nanoscale damage sensor. Dimeric 9-anthracene carboxylic acid (Di-AC) is synthesized and incorporated into glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites through a hand layup process. A quasi-static uniaxial tensile load is applied to the specimens, and UV excited fluorescence from the activated Di-AC mechanophore during the tensile loading tests is captured through UV camera. The results indicate that the activation of Di-AC starts at a very early stage in the tests (≈0.33% strain for single-ply and ≈0.5% strain for three-ply laminate specimens) and exhibits a linear increase prior to failure (≈1.6% strain for single-ply and ≈2.28% strain for three-ply laminate specimens). Nonlinear optical response is captured when the specimen is close to failure. The mechanophore response to interlaminar damage is also investigated using composite specimens with induced delamination. The potential of anthracene-based mechanophore for early damage detection as well as barely visible damage detection in GFRP is successfully demonstrated.

Evaluation of the environmental aging of the glass fiber-reinforced polymer composite when in contact with the effluent of a treatment plant

This paper presents an evaluation of the mechanical and physical behavior of the type E glass fiber-reinforced polymeric composite when exposed to environmental aging agents in an effluent treatment plant. The composite was made by the hand layup process, and the test bodies were made according to the American Society for Testing and Materials standards D3039-14 and D790-10 for the uniaxial tensile and three-point bending tests, respectively, where they were exposed for a period of eight months, conditioned above and immersed in the effluent of the treatment plant. The physicochemical characterization of the effluent was evaluated considering the following parameters: pH, conductivity, sulfate, alkalinity, acidity, sulfide, and temperature, aiming to characterize the effluent conditions in direct and indirect contact with the composite. After the exposure period, tests were carried out for morphological evaluation, structural integrity evaluation, mechanical performance evaluation, and fracture characterization of the polymer composite, thereby leading to a comparison of the mechanical characteristics in the original state to that of the aged state (after exposure in the effluent treatment plant). The polymeric composite studied was stable after the aging period, with little mass variation, less than 0.5%, and slight changes in color. The mechanical properties evaluated also did not change significantly during the study period. Variations in uniaxial tensile strength were less than 1.4% and for three-point bending less than 10%, thus showing that the type E glass fiber-reinforced polymer composite has potential for use in harsh environments such as in effluent treatment plants.

Experimental Study on Spring-in Deformation for L-shape CFRP Components

The carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is one of the modern composite material which is widely used in space applications, automobile industries and many more because of its high specific properties over conventional metals and alloys. Various manufacturing processes are available for preparation of CFRP components. Hand layup process is a versatile process for manufacturing a composite material because of its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. In this research paper, L-shape components from CFRP have been manufactured using the hand layup process. The mixture of different epoxy resin systems along with proper hardener is applied to dry carbon fabric to prepare composite parts using hand layup process. The spring-in deformation has been measured for CFRP L-shaped components fabricated from four and eight layer laminates with different epoxy resin systems. The spring-in deformation is minimum for eight layer components made using Hinpoxy VB resin system.

Development and testing of Pine Apple and Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites

Usage of Natural Fiber Composites (NFC) is increased rapidly due to the bio degradability nature of the fibers. These natural fibers are mixed with synthetic fibers to obtain better mechanical properties. In this study, pine apple and glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites are developed and their mechanical properties were evaluated. Composites were prepared by varying the fibers content and by using hand layup process with glass moulds of size 160 x 160 x 3 mm3. The obtained laminates were sliced as per the ASTM criterion to test the properties. Higher glass fiber content in the composite specimen obtained higher mechanical properties. The composites can be utilized for the purpose of manufacturing components like doors panels, desks, roof tops etc.

Dynamic and vibrational characterization of natural fabrics incorporated hybrid composites using industrial waste silica fumes

Recycling of industrial waste into a useful component is very necessary than dumping into the nature. Silica fumes, a byproduct of producing silicon metal or ferrosilicon alloys, are used in this study as filler material in the composite. This study deals with the dynamic and vibration properties of the natural fabric reinforced polymer hybrid composites containing silica fumes. The composites are prepared by hand lay-up process using jute, linen and epoxy matrix. To increase the dynamic and vibration properties of the composite, industrial waste i.e. silica fumes is added as filler material (in 1, 2, and 3 wt%) to the composites. The dynamic and vibration properties are acquired using dynamic mechanical analysis and vibration analysis, respectively. The glass transition temperature is also determined. Upon adding a small quantity of silica fumes, the composites’ storage modulus, loss modulus, natural frequency, and glass transition temperature have increased significantly. However, owing to agglomeration of silica fumes, the composite’s above-mentioned properties have not increased for silica fumes adding beyond 2% weight fraction.

Investigation and optimization of thermal shock effects on the properties and microstructure of Nanoclay-Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

In the present work, ‘Nanoclay-Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites (NGFRECs)’ are produced by hand lay-up process with a varying weight percentage of glass fiber and nanoclay. NGFRECs undergo two variety of thermal shock conditions. As prepared composites and thermal shock conditioned specimens are tested for tensile and flexural strength according to ASTM standards. To optimize the responses variables, ‘Design of Experiment (DOE)’ based on the full factorial design (33 = L27) is used. MINITAB 18 software is used for design and analyses. Results revealed that increasing glass fiber weight percentage and nanoclay has enhanced the flexural and tensile strength, whereas thermal shock conditions declined aforesaid strengths. The failure mode of the NGFREC as disclosed from SEM images include any of the following combinations, fiber pullout, rupture of the matrix, fiber-matrix de-bonding, delamination, matrix crazing, initiation and propagation of micro-cracks.

Development of mechanical properties in banana fiber composite

Abstract The main objective of this article is to study the utilization of natural fibres in polymer composites. In this article concentrated on reinforcement of polymer plastics with different proportions of banana and glass fibre composites. Since, epoxy based hybrid (glass/banana) composites play vital role in developing light weight structural materials, this study focuses on utilizing glass/banana as reinforcement fiber loading fiber is constant in epoxy resin. This composite was fabricated using hand lay-up process this influence of glass/banana loading on the mechanical properties of was studied initially. Test results revealed that the composite glass/banana composition has better mechanical properties.

Mechanical Behavior of Coir Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites with Variable Fiber Lengths

Most studies on the application of natural fibers as reinforcement in polymer composites are growing as a result of the changes in characteristics that fibers can provide for the product. This can be achieved by manufacturing of composites using Hand Layup process. The 2% NaOH fiber treatment was performed to improve fiber-matrix interfaces making spathe- fibre-reinforced composites better mechanical characteristics. Filler loadings as 5% by volume of coir fiber are selected as reinforcement in composites. The varying lengths of fiber chosen as 5mm, 10mm & 15mm and resin-hardner ratio are maintained as 10:0.8. A total 3 numbers of plates with volume as 300 х 300 х 4 mm3 were produced and specimens as per the various ASTM standard were tested to determine the ultimate various Mechanical properties for different configuration. The strength of epoxy resin / coir fiber composites was noticed at a maximum 15 mm (15.27 N / mm2) fiber length. The maximum impact strength of the charpy was also 15 mm fiber length (9.87 kJ / m2).The Experimental results were validated using a numerical method technique in FEA software. The obtained results by experimentation and Finite Element Analysis are very much closer to each other. The results show good mechanical properties and hint us as a replacement for conventional materials in industrial applications.

Dry Sliding Wear of Unidirectional Short Castor Oil Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite

The application range of natural fiber composites are increasing rapidly in several engineering areas. Unidirectional short castor oil fiber reinforced epoxy composites are fabricated using hand layup process with 40 vol% and 5mm length. Dry sliding wear tests are conducted using pin on disc tribometer. Applied loads are 15, 30 & 45N and track diameters were kept at 100, 110 and 120mm to achieve sliding distances of 1000, 2000 and 3000m respectively with adjustment of running times 6.5, 12 and 16 minutes at speed of 500 RPM. Full factorial DoE is employed and influence of each parameter on amount of wear, CoF and temperature are studied using ANOVA. It is found that load is the highly influential factor affecting amount of wear, CoF and temperature followed by sliding distance and other factors. Also, regression models are developed with good fit. The developed models predicted the results with 0-8 % error.