Hand Lay-up Research Articles

Design and Fabrication of Banana Fiber Reinforced Bio Composite

Abstract: This study explores the mechanical properties and potential applications of banana fiber-epoxy resin composites fabricated with an 80% resin and 20% fiber ratio using a hand layup method. The composites were comprehensively tested for tensile strength, flexural strength, impact resistance, and compression strength to assess their performance characteristics. The results highlight the effectiveness of banana fiber as a reinforcement material in epoxy composites, demonstrating promising mechanical performance suitable for structural and load-bearing applications in industries such as automotive, construction, and aerospace. The composites exhibited notable advantages, including enhanced tensile and flexural strength, good impact resistance, and high compression strength, making them viable alternatives to traditional composite materials. The sustainable nature of banana fiber further contributes to the eco-friendliness of these composites. This research emphasizes the potential of banana fiber-epoxy resin composites to develop sustainable and high-performance materials, paving the way for innovative applications in various sectors. The findings contribute valuable insights into utilizing natural fibers like banana fiber in epoxy resin matrices to enhance composite properties and promote the adoption of eco-friendly material solutions in modern industries

Studi Alkalisasi Serat Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit Sebagai Penguat Komposit Material Akustik.

The use of empty oil palm fruit bunches as reinforcement in making composite boards has been carried out. Palm oil empty bunch fiber was obtained in the Kotabaru area, South Kalimantan. Palm oil empty fruit bunch fiber is hydrophilic which causes low adhesive properties between the fiber and the matrix so it is necessary to alkalize with 3% NaOH for 5 hours first. Alkalization has increased the cellulose content by 19.36% and reduced the lignin component by 9.04% and other components, such as hemicellulose, pectin, fat and others by 59.63%. Making composite boards uses the hand lay-up method and has succeeded in improving physical and mechanical properties. Water content according to SNI. The acoustic performance of composite boards shows significant results. The acoustic properties of composite boards without alkalization are sound absorbing, while with alkalization they are reflective. These results are supported by FTIR and SEM morphology results, which show that the interfacial bonding properties between the fiber and the matrix increase, thereby changing the acoustic performance of the TKKS composite board.Keywords: Alkalization, hand lay-up, acoustic performance, absorption, reflection.

Evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of graphene oxide reinforced epoxy/Kevlar hybrid composites

Graphene is a miracle material with low density, excellent mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, molecular barrier properties and many other remarkable properties. Hence, recent research has been more focused on delving into various application areas of graphene. In this study, the effects of graphene oxide (GO) on the mechanical properties of composites based on epoxy resin and Kevlar fibers were investigated. The composites were fabricated by incorporating varying concentrations (1 %, 3 %, 5 %, 10 %, and 16 %) of graphene oxide (GO) into an epoxy matrix. The matrix was reinforced by two different wt.% (12.5 % and 25 %) of Kevlar fibers (KF). The hybrid composites were manufactured by hand lay-up process in a silicon mold at room temperature. Mechanical characterizations such as flexural, impact and hardness test exhibited an enhancement of the mechanical properties of the composites. Moreover, the measured density showed a significant reduction in density with increasing wt.% of GO. As a result, it was possible to fabricate a composite with a significant increase of specific flexural strength and specific flexural modulus. A microstructural analysis of the composites was performed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX). From the SEM images, it was revealed that the interphase bonding of the GO particles with Kevlar fibers and matrix was strong, thereby resulting in improved mechanical performance. It was observed that 5 wt% GO incorporation along with 25 wt% KF showed improved flexural strength, hardness and impact strength than that of sample fabricated only with Kevlar.

Evaluating Sisal Fiber-Reinforced Gypsum Composites for Water Absorption and Mechanical Performance

There has been a great research interest for investigation of new construction materials which can reduce environmental impact and cost, with improved structural performance. Recently, sisal fiber is being used as a reinforcement material in the development of reinforced composites. Here, sisal fiber-gypsum reinforced composites were prepared using the hand lay-up method followed by the compression technique. The effects of weight percentage (Wt. %) of the sisal fiber reinforcement on the mechanical properties of the developed sisal fiber-gypsum composites were investigated experimentally by varying the Wt. % as 5, 10, and 15%. The mechanical properties were tested as per the ASTM standards. The results revealed that the long unidirectional sisal fiber-gypsum composites exhibited higher impact and hardness strengths with lower water absorption behaviour than the short-chopped sisal fiber-gypsum composites. In addition, the impact strength increased with increase in Wt. % for both short-chopped and long unidirectional sisal fiber reinforcement. While the hardness strength decreased with increase in Wt. % for both short-chopped and long unidirectional sisal fiber. The experimental investigation has established sisal fiber as an important reinforcement material for improving the performance of the neat gypsum in a wide range of architectural applications such as ceilings, decorative partitions, and light covers.

Eco-friendly sugarcane biochar filler for enhanced mechanical properties in S-glass/polyester hybrid composites

In the pursuit of sustainable materials for composite fabrication, this study investigates the utilization of eco-friendly sugarcane biochar as a filler to enhance the mechanical properties of S-Glass/polyester hybrid composites. The incorporation of sugarcane biochar aims to mitigate environmental concerns associated with conventional fillers while simultaneously improving composite performance. Two techniques were utilized in the fabrication composites such as hand layup and vacuum bagging methods. Composite was fabricated with varying weight percentage of sugarcane biochar concentrations such as 5, 10, and 15 wt%. The mechanical behaviour of the composites was assessed through tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness tests. It is noted that the composites that comprised sugarcane biochar at concentrations as high as 10 wt% demonstrated the highest mechanical strength and performance. The maximum tensile strength of 119 MPa, flexural strength of 154 MPa and impact strength of 45 MPa was noted on the 10 wt% biochar composite. The findings underscore the effectiveness of sugarcane biochar as a filler in improving the mechanical behaviour of S-Glass/polyester hybrid composites. The successful integration of sugarcane biochar not only contributes to the development of sustainable composite materials but also highlights its potential to achieve superior mechanical performance.

Fabrication and Characterization of Baobab Pod (Adansoniadigitata) FiberReinforced Polyester Resin Composite

Baobab pod fibres were obtained from Sabo market in Zaria and sliced longitudinally, screened out from the baobab fruit, washed with water, dried under sun for fabrication and characterization. The fiber was extracted and treated with 5% NaOH solution. Important samples were fabricated with different fiber loading of 10wt%-30wt%. The samples were moulded using Hand Lay-up method followed by pressing and post cured at 60oC for 3 hours. The result showed tensile strength decreases as the loading of fiber increased from 20 wt% to 30 wt%. It was also observed that baobab composite has the highest tensile strength of 18.85 MPa at 20 wt% and least (16.45 MPa) at 15 wt%. The result also revealed the elongation at break increased from 20 wt% to 25 wt%. At 25wt% it has a maximum value (18.4%) elongation at break; at 30wt%. It was also observed that the density increased with increase in the fiber loading from 15wt% to 30wt% (1.23g/cm3 - 2g/cm3) respectively. At 15wt% shows a maximum water take-up of 6.53% while from 20 wt% to 30 wt%, Flexural strength increased from 10 wt% to 15 wt% (23.98MPa - 46.3Mpa). However, the bending stress decreases on increasing the fiber loading from 20-30 wt% (30.2 Mpa – 25.2 Mpa). The elastic nature of the composite generally increases with increased in fiber loading. This study, however recommend hybridization of baobab pod fiber with other natural fiber to investigate the mechanical and physical property of the hybrid composite for better result.

Sustainable engineering of human hair fiber-composite in engineering application

The hybrid composite material, resulting from the fusion of human hair and Kevlar 29 synthetic fiber in a 10:1 ratio, reinforced with epoxy resin using the hand layup technique, underwent meticulous mechanical and thermal testing. The investigation encompassed tensile, flexural, and impact property evaluations, elucidating a notable enhancement in mechanical strength with a diminishing synthetic fiber content. Concomitantly, the composite exhibited commendable heat resistance in heat deflection tests, making it potentially suitable for applications in elevated temperature environments. Water absorption properties were scrutinized, revealing a correlation between reduced synthetic fiber content and diminished water absorption, implying heightened durability in diverse conditions. Microstructure analysis through SEM provided intricate insights into the internal composition. In summation, the composite, featuring a higher proportion of natural fibers and a lower proportion of synthetics, demonstrated superior mechanical attributes, optimal heat resistance, and reduced water absorption, showcasing its applicability in automotive and engineering domains, particularly in the fabrication of vehicle panels and components. The aim of this research represents a significant advancement in composite materials, offering a cost-effective solution that balances mechanical strength and thermal resistance. It suggests the potential for high-performance materials by combining natural and synthetic fibers, promising versatility across various applications.

Study on Mechanical Properties of Polymer Composites Filled with Nano Egg-shell Powder

Polymeric materials, when reinforced with synthetic fibers like glass, carbon, and aramid, offer notable advantages including increased stiffness and strength-to-weight ratio compared to conventional materials such as wood, concrete, and steel. Among these options, glass fiber stands out due to its affordability and widespread availability. Glass fiber reinforced polymer composites exhibit moderate mechanical properties, which can be significantly enhanced by incorporating nano fillers like eggshell powder. This study explores the utilization of nano eggshell powder as well as methods for effectively integrating nano fillers into polymer composites to create value-added products. Four types of composites, varying in weight proportions of nano eggshell powders, were prepared using the hand lay-up technique for mechanical and thermal characterizations. Various mechanical properties including tensile strength, flexural strength, impact behavior, as well as thermal properties via TGA and DMA analysis were investigated. The results indicate that incorporating the optimal amount of nano fillers significantly improves the overall strength of glass fiber reinforced composite materials, leading to cost savings of over 30%. This suggests that nano eggshell fillers hold great potential in composite manufacturing, particularly for substituting high-cost glass fibers in low load-bearing applications.

Mechanical Characterization of Hybrid Bagasse/Eggshell/E-glass Fiber-based Polyester Composite

Currently, numerous researchers, scientists, and industrialists are drawn towards utilizing natural fillers rather than synthetic ones because of their environmentally-friendly characteristics, lower density per unit volume and favorable mechanical attributes. Several studies have demonstrated that using organic filler in polyester matrix composites, instead of disposing of them in landfills, has various advantages. The current study focuses on the investigation of the mechanical characteristics of composite material made from a combination of bagasse, eggshell, and e-glass fibers exhibit characteristics such as strength under tension, strength under bending, resistance to indentation, and mass per unit volume. Different weight percentages of eggshell/bagasse were used to make the material using the hand lay-up technique (3wt%, 6wt%, 9wt%, and 12wt%), with 19wt% of glass fiber mixed in the resin. The use of inorganic fillers like calcium carbonate, a non-renewable mineral that may be expensive and environmentally hazardous to extract and process, is being reduced in favor of organic fillers like eggshell and bagasse, which are inexpensive and readily available. Specimens were generated by interposing fiber waste amidst chopped strand glass fiber mats, with variations in the bagasse, eggshell and polyester content, while keeping the amount of E-glass fiber constant. Afterward, the specimens were trimmed to the appropriate dimensions and subjected to analysis with a universal apparatus. The research showed that enhancing the quantity of bagasse/eggshell fiber within the hybrid composite resulted in an enhancement of its mechanical characteristics. The best reinforcement effect was observed in a hybrid composite with 6% bagasse/eggshell fiber.

Influence of stacking sequence and nano-silica fortification on the physical properties of veli karuvelam – peepal hybrid natural composites

Abstract A hybrid composite incorporating veli karuvelam and peepal fibers was fabricated, with the addition of nanosilica as a filler to enhance composite performance. The impact of nanosilica and layering sequence on the physical properties of the composites was investigated. Initially, two types of hybrid composites i.e. peepal/veli karuvelam/peepal (PVP) and veli karuvelam/peepal/veli karuvelam (VPV) were developed by means of hand layup method, varying the layering sequence of veli karuvelam and peepal fibers. The PVP composite was identified as the most promising based on tensile strength (71 MPa), attributed to the optimal packing of high-strength peepal fibers. Subsequently, nanosilica was incorporated into the PVP composite at different weight percentages (1, 2 and 3), and its influence on composite performance was analyzed. The PVP composite containing 2 wt% SiO2 showed impressive mechanical properties, with a tensile strength of 76 MPa, a flexural strength of 104 MPa, an impact strength of 4.5 kJ/m2, and a hardness of 89 on the Shore D scale. The findings indicate that a PVP composite containing 2 wt% SiO2 has potential for use in engineering applications.

Model based data-driven optimisation of automated fibre placement set up

The composites manufacturing industry relies heavily on manual hand layup, unsuitable for increasing demands. Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) offers a solution, but setup complexity and extensive trials inflate costs. Digital tools promise to expedite development, but CPU-intensive simulations limit large-scale parameter optimisation. This paper introduces Gaussian Process (GP) models for understanding AFP parameters’ relationship with nip-point temperature. The GP emulator streamlines optimisation, offering accurate power curves with minimal simulations. An efficient method to enhance emulator performance through sequential design is also proposed, providing a cost-effective decision tool for AFP optimisation.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes/woven glass/epoxy hybrid nanocomposites: Effect of fabrication methods and types of epoxy matrices

The hybridization of nanofillers into glass fibre reinforcement is a promising strategy to improve the properties of the composite materials. The study aims to investigate the properties of hybrid nanocomposites consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/woven glass/epoxy composites. The effect of different fabrication methods and different types of epoxy matrices was also investigated. For method 1, MWCNT was mixed with epoxy and impregnated into 3-ply woven glass fabrics using the hand lay-up method, followed by a vacuum bagging process. Meanwhile, for method 2, the woven glass fabrics were spray coated with MWCNT aqueous suspension and 3-ply woven glass fabrics were stacked together and impregnated with epoxy using the hand lay-up method followed by vacuum bagging. Results showed that composite laminates prepared by method 2 with 0.5 wt% MWCNT exhibit higher impact and flexural strength with 32.9% and 29% increments compared to method 1, respectively. Based on the flammability test, it was observed that hybrid laminate composites fabricated by both methods could self-extinguish. It was found that hybrid laminated composites using bisphenol A as an epoxy matrix show higher impact strength and flexural strength with 20.7% and 12% increments compared to epoxy bio-resins, respectively.

Mechanical investigation for enhancing jute fibre vinyl ester composite performance through garnet waste utilization

This study explores the potential utilization of garnet waste, a byproduct of the Abrasive Water Jet Machining process, as a promising filler material in composite manufacturing. The disposal of garnet waste presents significant environmental and economic challenges, underscoring the need for sustainable waste management strategies. To tackle these challenges, this research investigates the incorporation of garnet waste into composites to create value-added materials. Consequently, the study focused on developing garnet-filled jute fibre-reinforced vinyl ester composites using the hand layup method. Various mechanical properties including flexural strength, tensile strength, hardness, and impact strength were assessed. The findings demonstrate that the inclusion of garnet filler enhances the mechanical strength of the composites. Particularly, composites containing 10 wt% garnet exhibit notable improvements in tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness strengths, with increases of 40%, 124%, 26%, and 15%, respectively. This research has the potential to advance the development of advanced materials across diverse industries, marking a significant stride towards sustainable and value-driven composite manufacturing practices.

The effect of tungsten carbide nanoparticles on the morphological, mechanical and tribological properties of WC/epoxy and WC/TBCP/epoxy nanocomposite

The paper reported on the effect of a polyethylene glycol-block-polypropylene glycol-block-polyethylene glycol (EO-PPO-EO) triblock copolymer (TBCP) on phase separation, mechanical properties of epoxy based on bisphenol F-(epichlorohydrin) and hardener (1-methylethyl-1,1'-biphenyl) (izoforon diamine) system and effect of a tungsten carbide (WC) reinforced two of WC/epoxy resin and WC /triblock (TBCP)/epoxy nanocomposites.In the work, TBCP content was used at 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% wt. for epoxy matrix. The optimal TBCP concentration was discovered to be 3% wt. in order to produce a good balance of mechanical characteristics. The comparative study of morphology and mechanical properties of two systems, tungsten carbide (WC) reinforced epoxy resin and WC /triblock (TBCP) /epoxy nanocomposites, has been examined. WC was added to two systems in three different weight proportions (1%, 2% and 3%). Specimens were fabricated by hand layup technique by pouring epoxy resin and reinforcement mixture into silicon moulds.The addition of nanoparticles did not affect the miscibility of the copolymer on the resin. Tensile, impact and wear tests were performed to ASTM standards. From the results, it was observed that WC reinforcement in epoxy resin results in high tensile strength and modulus and also increases impact strength and wear resistance compared to neat epoxy.Several spherical formations concerning phase separation and the creation of immiscible TBCP structures in the epoxy matrix are seen.The tests proved that epoxy nanocomposite with TBCP and WC as filler demonstrated that the nanoparticles utilised with block copolymers do not affect the distribution of the copolymer in the matrix, suggesting enhancing the nanoparticle's adherence to the matrix were characterised by the best tribological properties and mechanical properties, which was unchanged or better than the epoxy resin used as a matrix.

Analysis of influence of fiber volume of bamboo-areca composite material using Taguchi optimization technique

Bamboo is one of the bio-fibers that is finding its application in engineering and households due to its abundant availability and promising strength. Similarly, areca fiber is been used as a reinforcement material in many applications. In the current research, the composite of Bamboo and areca fiber is prepared for impact-strength application. The effects of the volume of bamboo, areca, and epoxy resin are investigated for impact strength using Taguchi analysis. The L9 orthogonal arrays have been employed for investigating the combination of fibers and resin for the preparation of composite. The composite material is prepared using the hand layup technique of three different layers, the first layer of bamboo, the second of areca, and the third layer of bamboo fiber respectively. Signal to Noise ratio and analysis of variance methodology have been used to determine the significance of each fiber in achieving the impact strength of the material. The results showed that the fiber volume of Bamboo layer 1 is the most influential parameter for impact strength followed by the volume of areca fiber. The optimized parameter for higher impact strength is achieved using taguchi analysis for the combination of Bamboo Layer 1 = 14 g, Areca = 20 g, Bamboo Layer 2 = 10 g, and Epoxy resin = 120 g. The confirmation test is conducted to validate the predicted values with actual value and a difference of 5.84 J/cm2 is obtained.

High velocity impact, flexural and dynamic mechanical properties of flax/carbon/Kevlar reinforced bio-phenolic/epoxy composites

This work investigated the effect of hybridization of flax fabric (FF) with carbon/Kevlar fabric (CK) on the flexural, dynamic mechanical analysis and high velocity impact. Hand lay-up technique was used to fabricated different ratio of flax to carbon/Kevlar hybrid composites, which were hot-pressed and then cured. It was revealed that increase in ratio of CK has improved the flexural properties, storage modulus, loss modulus, energy absorption and ballistic limit of the composites. Interestingly, hybrid composite with ratio 25:75(FF:CK) has highest flexural properties, storage modulus and loss modulus among the other composites. The cole-cole plot and damping factor reveals that hybrid composite with ratio 25:75(FF:CK) has the strongest fibre/matrix adhesion. The hybrid composite with ratio 25:75 (FF:CK) displayed the highest Tg. Based on high velocity impact test, it was shown that there is not much different in energy absorption and ballistic of the hybrid composites compared to plain CK composite. FF/CK hybrid composites have the potential to be used in high performance application such as ballistic helmet.

Mechanical Properties of Basalt / Chopped E-Glass Fiber and Graphite Powder Reinforced Hybrid Composites

In the current investigation an effort has put to study the effect of E-glass chopped mat and graphite powder in variations of 5g, 10g, and 15g on the tensile and flexural behavior of a basalt fiber-reinforced epoxy composite laminate reinforced with E-Glass fiber and Graphite powder. Hand layup technique has been used for the fabrication of the composites. Tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness tests were done on the Basalt/E-glass/Graphite epoxy composite in accordance with ASTM standards. The results indicate significant improvement in tensile strength, impact strength and hardness when E-glass was incorporated in the basalt/epoxy composite. However, basalt/E-glass/10% graphite epoxy composite was shown to have a greater flexural strength. An excellent dispersion of the reinforcements in the polymeric matrix, which elevated surface area for solid interfacial contact and effective load transmission, could possibly be accountable for the improved performance of the laminates that were successfully developed.

Mechanical (static and dynamic) characterization and thermal stability of hybrid green composites for engineering applications

The development of sustainability in industry has made it imperative to utilize waste and accessible natural resources properly. Our goal is to transform the naturally occurring resources, tamarind seed powder (TSP), eelgrass (EG), and adamant creeper (AC), into goods that are beneficial to society. In this study, different weight proportions of alkali-treated AC, EG, and TSP were combined to make hybrid natural fiber (NF) composite materials using the hand layup process. The material strength of the alkali treated (15% AC, 20% EG, and 15% TSP) composite sample was attained 211 MPa, 278 MPa, 21.7 J/m2, and 84.6 for tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness in that sequence. The storage modulus, loss modulus, and mechanical loss factor were measured and plotted against temperature in a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) experiment. All composites had higher storage and loss moduli and a lower mechanical loss factor, indicating more elastic properties. The findings demonstrated that adding fiber-filled TSP fillers tended to make the epoxy matrix more viscoelastic stiffness. As the weight percentage of fibers in the composite increases, discernible changes in the structural damping capacity have also been noticed. The thermal characteristics of composites were inspected by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the TGA outcomes substantiated that the thermal constancy of a 20% EG-reinforced composite was good. The mechanical, dynamic, and thermal qualities of this composite material will yield significant benefits for the industrial sector.

Experimental Investigation on Mechanical and Viscoelastic properties of Kenaf, Basalt and Carbon Fiber reinforced Hybrid Epoxy Polymer Composites

Abstract In this study, a hybrid polymer composite reinforced with natural fibers such as Kenaf and Basalt, as well as carbon fiber was developed and analyzed for mechanical properties of the composite with varying fiber content and orientation. The composites were made using a hand layup process in which the plies were alternately stacked. Further, specimens were cut from the fabricated laminate according to ASTM standards. For the tensile and flexural test was conducted using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). It is noticed that a hybrid composite made up of both natural fibers and carbon fiber has shown greater strength than a composite made up of only natural fibers with the same volume percentage of fiber. Furthermore, it is observed that the hybrid fiber composite in equal proportion is shown maximized strength.

Mechanical properties of Kenaf and Palmyra Palm leaf stalk fiber reinforced composite

The kenaf fibers and Palmyra palm leaf stalk fibers (PPLSF) fiber were extracted using retting process then the composite was fabricated by Hand lay-up process using chemically treated unidirectional bilayer fibers mat. The fabricated composites undergone with mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, impact test, and hardness. Three types of composites were manufactured by varying the weight percentage of fiber content, the composites were: Kenaf-Palmyra Palm Leaf Stalk-Kenaf Fiber Composite (KPKFC), Palmyra Palm Leaf Stalk-Kenaf-Palmyra Palm Leaf Stalk Fiber Composite (PKPFC), and Palmyra Palm Leaf Stalk-Kenaf Fiber Composite (PKFC). The KPKFC and PKPFC had shown significant mechanical properties. The maximum tensile and impact strength was found for PKPFC, the tensile and impact strength was 10.60 MPa and 17.37 J/cm2 respectively. The PKPFC had almost 60.18% and 66.72% more tensile and impact strength than KPKFC respectively. The highest flexural strength was obtained for KPKFC and flexural strength was 19.38 MPa. The KPKFC had 49.12% more flexural strength than PKPFC. The maximum hardness was obtained for KPKFC and the hardness was 25.4 Shore D.