Development and Characterization of the Midrib of Coconut Palm Leaf Reinforced Polyester Composite

In this paper, midrib of coconut palm leaves (MCL) was investigated for the purpose of development of natural fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites. A new natural fiber composite as MCL/polyester is developed by the hand lay-up method, and the material and mechanical properties of the fiber, matrix and composite materials were evaluated. The effect of fiber content on the tensile, flexural, impact, compressive strength and heat distortion temperature (HDT) was investigated. It was found that the MCL fiber had the maximum tensile strength, tensile modulus flexural strength, flexural modulus and Izod impact strength of 177.5MPa, 14.85GPa, 316.04MPa and 23.54GPa, 8.23KJ/m² respectively. Reinforcement of MCL enhanced the mechanical properties of pure polyester, including that of tensile strength (by 26%), tensile modulus (by 356%), flexural strength (by 41.81%), flexural modulus (by 169%) and Izod impact strength (by 23 times), but the compressive strength was adversely affected. HDT decreased due to fiber loading, but increased with weight fraction of fiber content. Moreover, the experimental results were compared with theoretical model (Rule of mixture) and other natural fiber /polyester composites.     

Optimization of mechanical properties of non-woven short sisal fibre-reinforced vinyl ester composite using factorial design and GA method

This work presents a systematic approach to evaluate and study the effect of process parameters on tensile, flexural and impact strength of untreated short sisal fibre-reinforced vinyl ester polymer-based composites and predicts the optimum properties of random natural fibre-reinforced composites. The natural fibre of sisal at lengths of 10, 30 and 50 mm and vinyl ester resin at loadings of 15, 30 and 45 (wt%) were prepared. The composite panel was then fabricated using hand lay method in cold process of size 180×160 mm². Samples were then cut from the panel and subjected to mechanical properties testing such as tensile, flexural and impact strengths. The average tensile strength ranges between 27·1 and 43·9 MPa. The flexural strength ranged between 26·9 and 49·5 MPa and the impact strength ranged between 16 and 93 J/m. The strength values were optimized using factorial design and genetic algorithm (GA) method. The predicted optimum process parameter values are in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Mechanical property improvement of unsaturated polyester composite reinforced with admicellar-treated sisal fibers

Sisal fiber was treated by admicellar polymerization with a poly(methyl methacrylate) film coating in order to enhance the interfacial adhesion of the fiber/polymer composite for mechanical property improvement. Properties of the admicellar-treated sisal fiber were investigated by measuring its moisture absorption and electrostatic charge. Thermal stability study by thermogravimetric analysis and film identification by FTIR was also carried out. The treatment was shown to improve the tensile and flexural properties, impact strength, and hardness of the composite. SEM micrographs of the tensile fracture surface of sisal/unsaturated polyester composites also show interfacial adhesion improvement of the composite prepared with admicellar-treated sisal.     

Fabrication and testing of natural fibre composites: Vakka, sisal, bamboo and banana

A study has been carried out to investigate the tensile, flexural and dielectric properties of composites made by reinforcing vakka as a new natural fibre into a polyester resin matrix. The fibres extracted by retting and manual processes have been used to fabricate the composites. These composites are tested for tensile, flexural and dielectric properties and compared with those of established composites like sisal, bamboo and banana made under the same laboratory conditions. The composites are fabricated up to a maximum volume fraction of fibre of 0.37 in the case of tensile testing, and 0.39 for flexural and dielectric testing. It has been observed that the tensile properties increase with respect to volume fraction of fibre for vakka fibre composite and are also more than those of sisal and banana composites and comparable to those of bamboo composites. The flexural strength of vakka fibre composite is more than that of banana composite and is closer to sisal fibre composite with respect to the volume fraction of fibre, where as the flexural modulus is much higher than those of banana and sisal fibre composites and also very much closer to bamboo fibre composites. The dielectric strength of vakka fibre composite increases with increase in volume fraction of fibre in the composite unlike the case of sisal, bamboo and banana composites. The dielectric strength being a unique feature of vakka fibre composite, can be suggested for electrical insulation applications.     

Influence of redmud particle hybridization in banana/sisal and sisal/glass composites

A novel hybrid composite is developed by adding redmud as the secondary reinforcing filler with banana/sisal and sisal/glass fiber reinforced polyester composites. The composites are prepared by the hand layup technique followed by compression molding. The tensile, flexural, and impact strength of the composites are investigated by varying the parameters such as particle size (4 and 13?µm) and weight percentage (2, 4, 6, and 8?wt%) of redmud particle addition. The experimental result shows that the addition of redmud enhances the mechanical property of the hybrid composite. The maximum increase of 33% in tensile strength and 54% in flexural strength is observed for the sisal/glass composite and 25% increase in impact strength for the banana/sisal composite. The linear regression analysis is also introduced to predict the errors in the scatter plot. Furthermore, the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is used to study the effect of redmud on the interfacial bonding in the banana/sisal and sisal/glass fiber reinforced polyester composites.     

Studies on mechanical,thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of untreated (raw) and treated coconut sheath fiber reinforced epoxy composites

The untreated (raw) coconut sheath fiber reinforced epoxy (UTCSE) composite and treated coconut sheath fiber reinforced epoxy (TCSE) composite have been fabricated using hand layup followed by compression molding technique. The prepared specimens were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The prepared specimens are cut as per ASTM Standards to measure tensile, flexural and impact strengths by using universal testing machine and izod impact tester respectively. The treated coconut sheath fiber reinforced epoxy composite (TCSE) posses higher mechanical strength and thermal stability compared to untreated (raw) coconut sheath fiber reinforced epoxy composite (UTCSE). In the SEM fracture analysis, TCSE composite showed better fiber–matrix bonding and absence of voids compared to UTCSE composite.     

Mechanical property evaluation of sisal–jute–glass fiber reinforced polyester composites

The composite materials are replacing the traditional materials, because of its superior properties such as high tensile strength, low thermal expansion, high strength to weight ratio. The developments of new materials are on the anvil and are growing day by day. Natural fiber composites such as sisal and jute polymer composites became more attractive due to their high specific strength, lightweight and biodegradability. Mixing of natural fiber with Glass-Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRPs) are finding increased applications. In this study, sisal–jute–glass fiber reinforced polyester composites is developed and their mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength are evaluated. The interfacial properties, internal cracks and internal structure of the fractured surfaces are evaluated by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results indicated that the incorporation of sisal–jute fiber with GFRP can improve the properties and used as a alternate material for glass fiber reinforced polymer composites.     

黄麻纤维/环氧复合材料及其性能分析

本文研究了黄麻单向纤维和随机分布短纤维增强环氧树脂复合材料的制作和拉伸、压缩、弯曲、层间剪切以及冲击性能,并讨论了它的破坏机理与微观形貌。黄麻纤维本身性能优异,并且具有优于其它天然植物纤维的可纺性。黄麻纤维复合材料的优异性能具有进一步研究开发的潜力。     

聚酰亚胺表面处理玻璃纤维/环氧树脂复合材料力学性能

采用浇铸成型工艺制备含0.5wt%、长度分别为1 mm、3 mm、5 mm的短切玻璃纤维/环氧树脂（GF/EP）复合材料,研究含活性酚羟基和不含酚羟基的两种聚酰亚胺（PI）处理GF表面对纤维束拉伸强度及GF/EP复合材料力学性能的影响,并进一步研究PI处理GF对复合材料热性能的影响。研究结果表明,经过PI处理的GF,集束性和拉伸强度得到提高。含活性酚羟基聚酰亚胺（PI1）处理的GF拉伸强度由原丝束的517 MPa提高到1 032 MPa,不含酚羟基聚酰亚胺（PI2）处理的GF提高到986 MPa。当PI1处理的GF长度为3 mm时,GF/EP复合材料的力学性能最好,拉伸强度比未处理的提高23.62%,拉伸模量提高34.03%,弯曲强度提高28.74%,断裂韧性提高13.04%;PI2处理的GF,GF/EP复合材料拉伸强度提高15.87%,拉伸模量提高23.70%,弯曲强度提高14.11%,断裂韧性提高4.05%。此外,PI处理GF对GF/EP复合材料热性能也有一定程度的提高。     

连续长玻璃纤维/聚氨酯复合材料的制备与力学性能

以三羟基聚醚多元醇（PPG）、二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯（MDI）作为软段和硬段,玻璃纤维（GF）为增强体,采用预聚体法制备自交联型GF/聚氨酯（PU）复合材料。借助旋转式黏度计、DMA、SEM、XRD和万能力学试验机等分析检测手段,研究了PU预聚体聚合温度、适用期、物相及GF含量等因素对GF/PU复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明:PU预聚体聚合温度为50℃,GF含量为55wt%时,GF/PU复合材料综合性能最优,拉伸强度、弯曲强度和冲击韧性分别为794 MPa、846 MPa和228 kJ/m2,动态力学性能损耗因子（tanδ）峰值为0.59。      

Mechanical property analysis of kenaf–glass fibre reinforced polymer composites using finite element analysis

Nowadays, natural fibres are used as a reinforcing material in polymer composites, owing to severe environmental concerns. Among many different types of natural resources, kenaf plants have been extensively exploited over the past few years. In this experimental study, partially eco-friendly hybrid composites were fabricated by using kenaf and glass fibres with two different fibre orientations of 0° and 90°. The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strengths of these composites have been evaluated. From the experiment, it was observed that the composites with the 0° fibre orientation can withstand the maximum tensile strength of 49.27 MPa, flexural strength of 164.35 MPa, and impact strength of 6 J. Whereas, the composites with the 90° fibre orientation hold the maximum tensile strength of 69.86 MPa, flexural strength of 162.566 MPa and impact strength of 6.66 J. The finite element analysis was carried out to analyse the elastic behaviour of the composites and to predict the mechanical properties by using NX Nastran 9.0 software. The experimental results were compared with the predicted values and a high correlation between the results was observed. The morphology of the fractured surfaces of the composites was analysed using a scanning electron microscopy analysis. The results indicated that the properties were in the increasing trend and comparable with pure synthetic fibre reinforced composites, which shows the potential for hybridization of kenaf fibre with glass fibre.     

Additive manufacturing of carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites using fused deposition modeling

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies have been successfully applied in various applications. Fused deposition modeling (FDM), one of the most popular AM techniques, is the most widely used method for fabricating thermoplastic parts those are mainly used as rapid prototypes for functional testing with advantages of low cost, minimal wastage, and ease of material change. Due to the intrinsically limited mechanical properties of pure thermoplastic materials, there is a critical need to improve mechanical properties for FDM-fabricated pure thermoplastic parts. One of the possible methods is adding reinforced materials (such as carbon fibers) into plastic materials to form thermoplastic matrix carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites those could be directly used in the actual application areas, such as aerospace, automotive, and wind energy. This paper is going to present FDM of thermoplastic matrix CFRP composites and test if adding carbon fiber (different content and length) can improve the mechanical properties of FDM-fabricated parts. The CFRP feedstock filaments were fabricated from plastic pellets and carbon fiber powders for FDM process. After FDM fabrication, effects on the tensile properties (including tensile strength, Young's modulus, toughness, yield strength, and ductility) and flexural properties (including flexural stress, flexural modulus, flexural toughness, and flexural yield strength) of specimens were experimentally investigated. In order to explore the parts fracture reasons during tensile and flexural tests, fracture interface of CFRP composite specimens after tensile testing and flexural testing was observed and analyzed using SEM micrograph.     

碳纤维-尼龙6混编织物复合材料的制备及性能

为了探究合适的碳纤维表面处理方法,改善碳纤维-尼龙6织物复合材料界面结合效果,提高复合材料的力学性能,通过混编的方式制备碳纤维-尼龙6预制件,将预制件浸泡在不同浓度的醇溶尼龙无水乙醇溶液中,最后将预制件通过热压成型,制备碳纤维织物-尼龙6复合材料。采用万能拉伸试验机、SEM、TGA、DSC、XRD分析碳纤维-尼龙6复合材料的力学性能、微观形貌、耐热性能、结晶度及晶型变化。结果表明:将预制件在浓度为1wt%的尼龙溶液处理后,并采用1℃/min的降温速率制备的碳纤维-尼龙6织物复合材料力学性能最佳,抗拉强度、弹性模量、弯曲强度、弯曲模量、冲击强度分别为449.32 MPa、5.32 GPa、657.67 MPa、44.08 GPa、138.42 kJ/m2。纤维拔出后,单根碳纤维表面附着部分尼龙基体,碳纤维与尼龙基体形成了良好的界面层。碳纤维-尼龙6织物复合材料的起始分解温度较尼龙6纤维提高了13℃,耐热性有所增强,尼龙6树脂主要以α晶型存在,结晶较为完善。      

Fabrication and characterization of fully biodegradable natural fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites

Polymer composites were fabricated with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and cellulosic natural fibers combining the wet-laid fiber sheet forming method with the film stacking composite-making process. The natural fibers studied included hardwood high yield pulp, softwood high yield pulp, and bleached kraft softwood pulp fibers. Composite mechanical and thermal properties were characterized. The incorporation of pulp fibers significantly increased the composite storage moduli and elasticity, promoted the cold crystallization and recrystallization of PLA, and dramatically improved composite tensile moduli and strengths. The highest composite tensile strength achieved was 121 MPa, nearly one fold higher than that of the neat PLA. The overall fiber efficiency factors for composite tensile strengths derived from the micromechanics models were found to be much higher than that of conventional random short fiber-reinforced composites, suggesting the fiber–fiber bond also positively contributed to the composites’ strengths.     

Mechanical and water absorption behaviour of banana/sisal reinforced hybrid composites

The tensile, flexural, impact and water absorption tests were carried out using banana/epoxy composite material. Initially, optimum fiber length and weight percentage were determined. To improve the mechanical properties, banana fiber was hybridised with sisal fiber. This study showed that addition of sisal fiber in banana/epoxy composites of up to 50% by weight results in increasing the mechanical properties and decreasing the moisture absorption property. Morphological analysis was carried out to observe fracture behaviour and fiber pull-out of the samples using scanning electron microscope.     

Physico‐mechanical characterization of garnet and fly ash reinforced Al7075 hybrid composite

The aim of present work was to study the effect of adding garnet and fly ash on the physical and mechanical performance of Al7075 hybrid composites. Al7075 hybrid composites reinforced with varying weight percentage (0 wt.%–15 wt.%) of each of garnet and fly ash were fabricated and characterized for the comparative assessment of their physical and mechanical properties. The physical and mechanical tests such as void content test, hardness test, tensile strength test, impact strength tests, flexural and fracture toughness test were performed for both garnet and fly ash reinforced composites. The finding of results indicated that the addition of 0 wt.%–15 wt.% of garnet increased the void content, hardness, flexural strength, tensile strength, impact strength and fracture toughness in the range of 1.01 %–2.69 %, 33 HRB–88 HRB, 165 MPa–275 MPa, 205 MPa–263 MPa, 12 J–22 J and 0.11 MPa ? m^1/2–0.58 MPa ? m^1/2 at crack length 0.1 respectively whereas addition of 0 wt.%–15 wt.% of fly ash increased the void content, hardness test, flexural strength, tensile strength, impact strength and fracture toughness in the range of 1.010 %–1.351 %, 33 HRB‐80 HRB, 165 MPa–225 MPa, 205 MPa–236 MPa, 12 J–20 J, 0.11 MPa ? m^1/2–0.48 MPa ? m^1/2 at crack length 0.1 respectively. Apart from the economic concern and void issue, Garnet indicated better choice of reinforcement as compared to fly ash in terms of mechanical properties.     

The effect of fibre content on the mechanical properties of hemp and basalt fibre reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites

In this study, mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strengths of hemp/phenol formaldehyde (PF), basalt/PF and hemp/basalt hybrid PF composites have been investigated as a function of fibre loading. Hemp fibre reinforced PF composites and basalt fibre reinforced composites were fabricated with varying fibre loading i.e. 20, 32, 40, 48, 56 and 63 vol%. The hybrid effect of hemp fibre and basalt fibre on the tensile, flexural and impact strengths was also investigated for various ratio of hemp/basalt fibre loading such as 1:0, 0.95:0.05, 0.82:0.18, 0.68:0.32, 0.52:0.48, 0.35:0.65, 0.18:0.82 and 0:1. Total fibre loading of the hybrid composites was 40 vol%. The results showed that the tensile strength and elongation at break increase with increasing fibre loading up to 40 vol% and decrease above this value for hemp fibre reinforced PF composite. Similar trend was observed for flexural strength and the maximum value was obtained for 48 vol% hemp fibre loading. Impact strength of hemp/PF composite showed a regular trend of increase with increasing fibre loading up to 63 vol%. Tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength values of basalt/PF composites were found to be lower compared to hemp/PF composites. The tensile strength and elongation at break of basalt/PF composite increased by incorparation of basalt fibre up to 32 vol% and decreased beyond this value. Flexural strength of basalt/PF composite decreased linearly with fibre loading. However, the maximum impact strength was obtained for 48 vol% basalt fibre loading. For hemp/basalt hybrid PF composite, the tensile strength decreased with increasing basalt fibre loading. On the other hand, the flexural and impact strengths showed large scatter. The maximum flexural strength value was obtained for 0.52:0.48 hemp/basalt ratio. Corresponding value for impact strength was obtained for 0.68:0.32 hemp/basalt fibre ratio.     

柔性非织造布和玻璃纤维布叠层热压制备玻璃纤维布/聚苯硫醚复合板材

为改善玻璃纤维增强聚苯硫醚（PPS）复合板材的力学性能,分别以柔性的玻璃纤维布和PPS非织造布作为增强体和基体,采用叠层热压成型法制备出刚性的复合板材,采用力学性能测试、XRD、PLM、SEM研究了热压温度、热压时间、玻璃纤维含量和处理玻璃纤维布的硅烷偶联剂种类对复合板材的力学性能、结晶度、结晶形态和微观形貌的影响。结果表明,在无硅烷偶联剂处理玻璃纤维布时,控制热压温度为320℃,热压时间为30 min,压力为30 MPa,玻璃纤维质量分数为50%,复合板材的拉伸强度和弯曲强度最佳,分别为286.0 MPa和175.0 MPa,缺口冲击强度达到61.6 MPa。使用硅烷偶联剂KH560处理玻璃纤维布,在最佳成型工艺条件下,复合板材力学性能改善最明显,其弯曲强度为394.9 MPa,弯曲模量为23.6 GPa,层间剪切强度为16.4 MPa,缺口冲击强度为81.0 MPa。通过优化实验条件和使用硅烷偶联剂处理玻璃纤维表面,复合板材的力学性能得到了明显提高。     

Effects of diammonium phosphate on the flammability and mechanical properties of bio-composites

The flammability, thermal stability and mechanical properties of natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastic bio-composites were measured using a horizontal burning test, thermogravimetric analyzer, and universal testing machine, respectively. The composites were fabricated from film resins (Polylactic-acid, PLA and Polypropylene, PP) and natural fibers (coconut filter and jute fiber) by a hot press machine. To improve the flame retardancy of the bio-composites, various diammonium phosphates (DAP) were treated into the fibers. In general, the results indicate that increasing the percentage of DAP used to treat the fibers effectively improves the flame resistant, weight loss rate, and flexural modulus but decreases the flexural and tensile strengths of the bio-composites. Bio-composites with DAP-treated fibers showed a greater flexural modulus than those with untreated fibers, and the flexural modulus was even greater than that of neat polymers (PLA and PP). Also, increasing the percentage of DAP for treatment of the fibers in the composites decreases the temperature required for 5% weight loss and the decomposition rate, but increases the char residual at 500 °C. The best linear burning rate and weight loss rate were observed for fiber treatment with 5% DAP. The compressive and wear properties of these bio-composites were also studied.     

The effect of fibre content on the mechanical properties of glass fibre mat/polypropylene composites

Glass fibre mat was prepared by the fibre mat-manufacturing machine developed in our laboratory. Glass fibre mat reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were fabricated with the variation of glass fibre content. Tensile, flexural and high rate impact test was conducted to investigate the effect of glass fibre content on the mechanical properties of the glass fibre mat/PP composite. Deformation and fracture behaviour of the glass fibre mat/PP composites was investigated to study the relationship with the mechanical property data. The tensile and flexural modulus increased with the increment of glass fibre content. However, the tensile and flexural strengths exhibited maximum values and showed a decrease at the higher glass fibre content than this point. The impact absorption energy also exhibited a similar result with the tensile and flexural property data.