scholarly journals Flexural Strength of Banana Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composites Produced through Vacuum Infusion and Hand Lay-Up Techniques - A Comparative Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Rahman ◽  
Abdul Aziz Jasani ◽  
Mohd Azizuddin Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Flexural Strength ◽  
Fiber Length ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Water Solution ◽  
Fiber Volume ◽  
Banana Fiber ◽  
Vacuum Infusion ◽  
Banana Fibre ◽  
Vacuum Infusion Process

Natural fiber such as kenaf, sisal, pineapple leaf and banana are growing popular nowadays due to its favor over traditional glass fiber and inorganic material. It is a renewable resources and abundantly available in the market. The composites made of natural fiber are economical, lightweight and environmental friendly. This study works on producing a composite based on the Banana fiber reinforced epoxy resin by using the method of Vacuum Infusion and Hand Lay-up. Banana fiber will be treated with Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and water solution for 1 hour and then dried in the oven for 24 hours at 100°C. The composite will be produce based on different fiber volume fraction of 20% and 40% as well as different fiber length of 127mm, and 63mm. In Vacuum Infusion process, a mold made of aluminium have been manufactured according to the size of specimens of 127mm x 12.7mm x 3.2mm in dimension will be used in the preparation of specimens. The specimens of different volume fraction and fiber length produced by vacuum infusion and hand lay-up method will be mechanically tested through flexural test. The highest flexural strength is the specimen made by vacuum infusion process with 40% volume fraction and 63mm fiber length, which is 136.27MPa while for the hand lay-up process, the highest flexural strength is 80.71 with 40% volume fraction and 63mm fiber length.

Effect of surface density and fiber length on the porosity and permeability of nonwoven flax reinforcement

2017 ◽  
Vol 88 (15) ◽  
pp. 1776-1787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Habibi ◽  
Édu Ruiz ◽  
Gilbert Lebrun ◽  
Luc Laperrière
Keyword(s):  
Pore Size ◽  
Surface Density ◽  
Fiber Length ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Short Fiber ◽  
Fiber Volume ◽  
Fibrous Network ◽  
Porosity And Permeability ◽  
The Impact

This paper presents an experimental study and modeling of the influence of surface density and fiber length on the permeability of novel nonwoven flax fiber manufactured by the paper making process. Firstly, the relation between surface density, fiber lengths and pore size distribution measured with a porometer capillary instrument is reported in this study. The results show that higher surface density gives a denser fibrous network with a low porosity rate and longer fiber decreases the total number of fibers and increases the pore size for a given surface density. A liquid permeability study was then carried out to identify the impact of surface density, short fiber length and fiber volume fraction on in-plane impregnation of the reinforcement. Permeability was found to be inversely proportional to the reinforcement of surface density. In contrast, an increase of the fiber length increases the in-plane permeability of the reinforcement. Finally, a mathematical modeling is proposed to predict the permeability behavior of these innovative natural fiber webs.

Influence of fiber volume fraction and curing temperature on mechanical properties of jute/PLA green composites

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-284
Author(s):  
Jai Inder Preet Singh ◽  
Sehijpal Singh ◽  
Vikas Dhawan
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Flexural Strength ◽  
Fiber Volume Fraction ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Matrix Material ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Curing Temperature ◽  
Green Composites ◽  
Fiber Volume

Rising environmental concerns and depletion of petrochemical resources have resulted in an increased interest in biodegradable natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites. In this research work, jute fiber has been used as a reinforcement and polylactic acid (PLA) as the matrix material to develop jute/PLA green composites with the help of compression molding technique. The effect of fiber volume fraction ranging from 25% to 50% and curing temperature ranging from 160°C to 180°C on different samples were investigated for mechanical properties and water absorption. Results obtained from various tests indicate that with an increase in the fiber volume fraction, tensile and flexural strength increases till 30% fiber fraction, thereafter decreases with further increase in fiber content. Maximum tensile and flexural strength of jute/PLA composites was obtained with 30% fiber volume fraction at 160°C curing temperature. The trend obtained from mechanical properties is further justified through the study of surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy.

Enhanced Tensile and Wear Properties of CFRP Composites Manufactured Using Vacuum Infusion Process

2019 ◽  
Vol 969 ◽  
pp. 271-277
Author(s):  
Syam Kumar Chokka ◽  
Beera Satish Ben ◽  
K.V. Sai Srinadh
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Wear Resistance ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Longitudinal Direction ◽  
Wear Behaviour ◽  
Wear Properties ◽  
Fiber Volume ◽  
Vacuum Infusion ◽  
Cfrp Composites ◽  
Vacuum Infusion Process

The properties of a composite are depending on the manufacturing process, fiber and its configuration, epoxy used etc. The present research deals with the tensile and wear behaviour of the composites manufactured using Hand Layup (HL) and Vacuum Infusion Process (VIP) with structural and non-structural epoxy combination. 4-layerd (all the layers are oriented in the longitudinal direction) unidirectional CFRP was manufactured using VIP and those results were compared with the HL made samples. The addition of structural epoxy in the resin mixer have shown a significant effect on its fiber volume fraction, tensile and erosion properties. The effect of vacuum pressure in mould cavity on the tensile strength of the CFRP composite was also studied. The morphologies of the CFRP composites made with VIP and HL were studied with the help of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The CFRP composites manufactured through VIP have shown a greater tensile strength but it was poor in wear resistance. The addition of structural adhesive to the resin system enhanced the wear resistance. Hence it made the VIP a recommended process for composite manufacturing where both tensile and wear properties are required.

scholarly journals Influence of Fiber Volume and Fiber Length on Thermal and Flexural Properties of a Hybrid Natural Polymer Composite Prepared with Banana Stem, Pineapple Leaf, and S-Glass

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
K. B. Prakash ◽  
Yahya Ali Fageehi ◽  
Rajasekaran Saminathan ◽  
P. Manoj Kumar ◽  
S. Saravanakumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Thermal Properties ◽  
Flexural Strength ◽  
Fiber Length ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Loss Modulus ◽  
Flexural Modulus ◽  
Flexural Properties ◽  
Fiber Volume ◽  
Banana Stem

There is more demand for natural fiber-reinforced composites in the energy sector, and their impact on the environment is almost zero. Natural fiber has plenty of advantages, such as easy recycling and degrading property, low density, and low price. Natural fiber’s thermal properties and flexural properties are less than conventional fiber. This work deals with the changes in the thermal properties and mechanical properties of S-glass reinforced with a sodium hydroxide-treated pineapple leaf (PALF) and banana stem fibers. Banana stem and pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) were used at various volume fractions, i.e., 30%, 40%, and 50%, and various fiber lengths of 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm with S-glass, and their effects on the thermal and mechanical properties were studied, and their optimum values were found. It was evidenced that increasing the fiber volume and fiber length enhanced the flexural and thermal properties up to 40% of the fiber volume, and started to decrease at 50% of the fiber volume. The fiber length provides an affirmative effect on the flexural properties and a pessimistic effect on the thermal properties. The PALF S-glass combination of 40% fiber load and 40 cm fiber length provides maximum flexural strength, flexural modulus, storage modulus, and lowest loss modulus based on hybrid Taguchi grey relational optimization techniques. PALF S-glass hybrid composite has been found to have 7.80%, 3.44%, 1.17% higher flexural strength, flexural modulus, and loss modulus, respectively, and 15.74% lower storage modulus compared to banana S-glass hybrid composite.

scholarly journals Improvement of the Mechanical Properties of Hibiscus Esculentus (Okra) Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite

2019 ◽  
pp. 249-259
Author(s):  
D. I. Chukwuma ◽  
E. N. Ikezue ◽  
E. O. Onu ◽  
J. O. Ezeugo
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Fiber Length ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Fiber Surface ◽  
Fiber Volume ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Two Parameters ◽  
Okra Fiber

Natural fiber and their composites are the emerging trends in material science. They are speedily gaining grounds in the replacement of synthetic reinforcements. This is due to their low density, high specific mechanical strength, ultimate availability and disposability and less processing requirements. Most plant based fibers have become centers of research. This work is based on Okra fiber. Okra fiber was used as reinforcement in vinyl ester polymer matrix. Okra fiber was chemically treated using NaOH to clean fiber surface, modify the surface to increase the surface roughness and in general enhance bond strength between fiber and matrix. Reinforcement of the matrix using Okra fiber increases mechanical properties of the composite. But for optimal result, certain parameters were considered and varied. The two parameters considered were: fiber length, and proportion or volume fraction. Different variations of fiber length considered were: 10mm, 30mm and 50mm while the different fiber volume fractions considered are 10%, 30% and 50%. This work has analyzed how these parameters can be best combined for optimum values of tensile properties of the composite. The tensile strength of composite was highest at fiber length of 50mm and volume fraction of 10% at ultimate tensile strength of 214MPa.

Pressure-controlled compaction characterization of fiber preforms suitable for viscoelastic modeling in the vacuum infusion process

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 1209-1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bekir Yenilmez ◽  
Baris Caglar ◽  
E Murat Sozer
Keyword(s):  
Fiber Volume Fraction ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Fiber Volume ◽  
Compaction Rate ◽  
Vacuum Infusion ◽  
Viscoelastic Modeling ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Fiber Preforms ◽  
Vacuum Infusion Process

A woven fabric’s compaction in the vacuum infusion process is characterized by applying an initial settling under a minor load, compaction, settling under a major load, decompaction and relaxation. The effects of compaction rate, relaxation pressure, wetting and debulking cycles are all investigated. Although wetting helps by increasing fiber volume fraction insignificantly, its contribution is more significant during debulking cycles by increasing the fiber volume fraction to 57.4% as compared to 55.4% for the debulked dry specimens. Recovery during decompaction is much less than the deformation during compaction, and thinning/thickening of the specimens with time under constant pressure, so called settling/relaxation pressures, indicates that fabric specimens are not elastic materials, but viscoelastic. The experimental data of this study will be valuable to compare different viscoelastic and elastic compaction models in our next study.

Monitoring of mechanical properties of prestressed glass fiber epoxy composites over 12 months after fabrication

2021 ◽  
pp. 002199832110047
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Mohamed ◽  
Siddhartha Brahma ◽  
Haibin Ning ◽  
Selvum Pillay
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Residual Stress ◽  
Flexural Strength ◽  
Compressive Residual Stress ◽  
Fiber Volume Fraction ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Epoxy Composites ◽  
Flexural Properties ◽  
Initial Increase ◽  
Fiber Volume

Fiber prestressing during matrix curing can significantly improve the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced polymer composites. One primary reason behind this improvement is the generated compressive residual stress within the cured matrix, which impedes cracks initiation and propagation. However, the prestressing force might diminish progressively with time due to the creep of the compressed matrix and the relaxation of the tensioned fiber. As a result, the initial compressive residual stress and the acquired improvement in mechanical properties are prone to decline over time. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the mechanical properties of the prestressed composites as time proceeds. This study monitors the change in the tensile and flexural properties of unidirectional prestressed glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites over a period of 12 months after manufacturing. The composites were prepared using three different fiber volume fractions 25%, 30%, and 40%. The results of mechanical testing showed that the prestressed composites acquired an initial increase up to 29% in the tensile properties and up to 32% in the flexural properties compared to the non-prestressed counterparts. Throughout the 12 months of study, the initial increase in both tensile and flexural strength showed a progressive reduction. The loss ratio of the initial increase was observed to be inversely proportional to the fiber volume fraction. For the prestressed composites fabricated with 25%, 30%, and 40% fiber volume fraction, the initial increase in tensile and flexural strength dropped by 29%, 25%, and 17%, respectively and by 34%, 26%, and 21%, respectively at the end of the study. Approximately 50% of the total loss took place over the first month after the manufacture, while after the sixth month, the reduction in mechanical properties became insignificant. Tensile modulus started to show a very slight reduction after the fourth/sixth month, while the flexural modulus reduction was observed from the beginning. Although the prestressed composites displayed time-dependent losses, their long-term mechanical properties still outperformed the non-prestressed counterparts.

Flexural behavior of functionally graded polymeric composite beams

2021 ◽  
pp. 152808372110003
Author(s):  
M Atta ◽  
A Abu-Sinna ◽  
S Mousa ◽  
HEM Sallam ◽  
AA Abd-Elhady
Keyword(s):  
Flexural Strength ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Stress Gradient ◽  
Polymeric Composite ◽  
Composite Beams ◽  
Functionally Graded ◽  
Flexural Behavior ◽  
Bending Test ◽  
Polymeric Composite Material ◽  
Fiber Volume

The bending test is one of the most important tests that demonstrates the advantages of functional gradient (FGM) materials, thanks to the stress gradient across the specimen depth. In this research, the flexural response of functionally graded polymeric composite material (FGM) is investigated both experimentally and numerically. Fabricated by a hand lay-up manufacturing technique, the unidirectional glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite composed of ten layers is used in the present investigation. A 3-D finite element simulation is used to predict the flexural strength based on Hashin’s failure criterion. To produce ten layers of FGM beams with different patterns, the fiber volume fraction ( Vf%) ranges from 10% to 50%. A comparison between FGM beams and conventional composite beams having the same average Vf% is made. The experimental results show that the failure of the FGM beams under three points bending loading (3PB) test is initiated from the tensioned layers, and spread to the upper layer. The spreading is followed by delamination accompanied by shear failures. Finally, the FGM beams fail due to crushing in the compression zone. Furthermore, the delamination failure between the layers has a major effect on the rapidity of the final failure of the FGM beams. The present numerical results show that the gradient pattern of FGM beams is a critical parameter for improving their flexural behavior. Otherwise, Vf% of the outer layers of the FGM beams, i.e. Vf% = 30, 40, or 50%, is responsible for improving their flexural strength.

Optical measurement of local permeability of flax fiber fabrics before liquid composite molding

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (24) ◽  
pp. 3289-3297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoît Cosson
Keyword(s):  
Optical Method ◽  
Fiber Volume Fraction ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Optical Measurement ◽  
Transmission Measurement ◽  
Liquid Composite Molding ◽  
Fiber Volume ◽  
Filling Time ◽  
Composite Molding

Tracking the variability of natural fiber-based fabrics properties, such as local areal weight, fiber volume fraction, and therefore permeability, is crucial to optimize the parts processing of the bio-composites. This paper aims at developing a cost-effective and efficient optical method in order to predict the permeability of flax fabrics used in liquid composite molding processes. This method using an LCD monitor as light source and a reflex camera as a measurement device is based on light transmission measurement through fabric thickness. The raw data given by the camera are gray scale maps, transformed into areal weight maps. FEM software based on levelset method is finally used to highlight the influence of the local variability of the fiber volume fraction, and of the related fabrics porosity and permeability on the mold filling time. The proposed method can be directly implemented on the manufacturing line of the composites. It can be used to optimize, part-to-part, the resin consumption by predicting the resin flow through perform. Interestingly, this novel optical method is auto-calibrated and does not depend on picture resolution.

Micro-computed tomography analysis of natural fiber and bio-matrix tubular-braided composites

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (28-30) ◽  
pp. 4003-4013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brianna M Bruni-Bossio ◽  
Garrett W Melenka ◽  
Cagri Ayranci ◽  
Jason P Carey
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Void Content ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Braided Composites ◽  
Fiber Volume ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Curing Method

There is an increasing demand for the use of “green”-based materials as reinforcement and matrix materials in composites. However, the ability of these natural-based materials to perform as consistently and reliably as conventional materials is still relatively unknown. A key importance in the viability of these materials is the evaluation of the content of voids and imperfections, which may affect the properties of the entire composite. In this study, the microstructure of tubular-braided composites manufactured from cellulose fibers and a partially bio-derived resin was studied with the use of micro-computed tomography. These methods were used to determine the effect of modifying braid angle, resin type, and curing method on fiber volume fraction, void volume, and void distribution. It was determined that the void content increased with the increase in braid angle, and vacuum-bagging reduced the total void content. The sample with the smallest braid angle produced with vacuum-bagged curing contained a void fraction of 1.5%. The results of this study proved that the materials used could be viable for further testing and development and that micro-computed tomography imaging is valuable for identifying how to improve consistency and minimize imperfections to create more accurate and reliable natural fiber-braided composites.

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