V.M. Manickavasagam

Fabrication and Testing of Abaca Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composites for Automotive Applications

The natural fibre composite materials are nowadays playing a vital role in replacing the conventional and synthetic materials for industrial applications. This paper proposes a natural fiber composite made of Abaca fibre as reinforcing agent with Epoxy resin as the matrix, manufactured using Hand Lay-up method. Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (woven rovings) are used to improve the surface finish and impart more strength and stiffness to natural fibers. In this work, the fibers are arranged in alternative layers of abaca in horizontal and vertical orientation. The mechanical properties of the composite are determined by testing the samples for tensile and flexural strength. It is observed that the tensile strength of the composite material is dependent on the strength of the natural fiber and also on the interfacial adhesion between the reinforcement and the matrix. The composite is developed for automobile dashboard/mudguard application. It may also be extended to biomedical, electronics and sports goods manufacturing. It can also be used in marine products due to excellent resistance of abaca to salt water damage since the tensile strength when it is wet.

Investigation of Tensile Properties of Manila Fibre Reinforced Composite

In the present scenario, composites are beginning to play a major role in day to day applications. Suitable properties can be imparted by selection or orientation of fibers during the manufacturing process. This paper demonstrates the natural composites made up of Manila as reinforcing agent with epoxy resin as matrix enclosed between glass fibers. Glass fibers, also known as woven rovings, are used to improve the surface finish and provide better strength and rigidity to the composite. Using hand lay-up method, fibers of Manila are arranged in alternate layers. The strength of composites depends on the fiber-matrix interfacial bonding. Three composite samples are prepared and mechanical stability of the composite is determined by tensile test. It is seen that there is not much variation in the ultimate strength of the three samples. On an average, it is found that average break load of the composite is 4.8 KN and the corresponding displacement is 9.08 mm. All the three samples exhibit almost similar elongation of about 18 % and the average ultimate tensile strength is 31.66 MPa. The reason for uniform tensile properties is due to a homogeneous distribution of fibers in all the three samples.

Investigation on Impact and Compression Properties of Pineapple Reinforced Polymer Composite

The Natural fiber composites form a combination of plant derived fibers with plastic binders (Polymer matrices). The fibers form the fillers or reinforcements of the composite and the matrix is the continuous phase. In general, fibers are principal load carrying members while the surrounding matrix keeps them in the desired position, acts as a load transfer medium between them. So fibers with good strength and modulus and having good bonding with matrix should be used to a produce a good quality composite material [1-3]. The mechanical efficiency of a fiber composite depends on the adhesion between the matrix and the reinforcement [4-7]. This paper is to evaluate impact and compression properties of pineapple fiber based reinforced composite with epoxy resin as matrix.

Evaluation of the Flexural Properties of Pineapple Reinforced Polymer Composite for Automotive and Electrical Applications

The interest in natural fibers has been rising in the past decade due to low cost and abundant availability. Though the composites made from artificial fibers possess superior properties when compared to natural fiber reinforced composites, their high cost makes it unviable in day-to-day applications. This paper is an evaluation of a pineapple fiber reinforced composite using epoxy resin as matrix. Glass fibers are provided as the outer layers to improve the surface finish and strength. Using hand lay-up method, fibers of pineapple are assembled in alternate layers of vertical and horizontal orientation. The flexural properties of the composite are determined. Three samples are tested and it is seen that there is no appreciable variation in the properties. The average break load is 1.29 KN and the deflection is 5.533 mm. The flexural strength is calculated as 78.63MPa.

Investigation of Flexural Characteristics of Flax and Abaca Hybrid Epoxy Composites

Recent growth in the field of engineering demands specialised composite materials to meet various industrial needs. Composite materials are emerging as the most promising new materials. This paper deals with the fabrication and analysis of flexural characteristics of flax and Abaca hybrid epoxy composite. The show that GFRP + Flax +Abaca based hybrid composite has a higher ultimate stress which is much greater than GFRP + Flax composite and GFRP + Abaca composites. The inner filament breakage and crack propagation are studied using scanning electron microscope.

Investigation of Tensile Behaviour of Flax – Abaca Hybrid Epoxy Composite

In this study, fabrication of flax-abaca hybrid composites is done using hand lay-up technique. The arrangement of the composite is such that a layer of flax fiber is mounted on both sides by abaca fiber layers. Glass fiber reinforced polymer is used for lamination on both sides. Mechanical characterisation is done by performing tensile test on the hybrid composites. The tensile behaviour is compared with those of composites containing any one of the constituents of the hybrid composites. Morphological analysis of the specimen after testing is performed.

Evaluation of the Double Shear and Hardness of Abaca and Flax Reinforced Polymer Composite for Automotive Applications

Advancement in Science and technology over the past decade has made the human society to venture into using hybrid materials for variety of applications. Natural fiber composite materials are one among those new emerging engineering materials. These materials are finding increased usage due to their low cost and eco-friendly nature. This paper deals with the fabrication and characterization of abaca, flax based hybrid composite. The properties of hybrid composites are compared to the composite containing any one of the constitutional fibers of hybrid composite. The characterisation is based on behaviour of composite under various mechanical testing. The tests include double shear strength and Hardness. The inner filament brakeage and crack propagation are studied using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

Investigation on Compression and Hardness Properties of Abaca and Manila Hybrid Composite

Nowadays composite materials play a vital role in automotive and aerospace industries due to their important properties like high strength to weight ratio, biodegradability and ease of production. In this paper, compression and hardness properties of a hybrid composite made of manila and abaca fibers are evaluated. Hand layup process is used in this work. The result shows that hybrid composite possesses very high strength and hardness as compared to mono fibre composite.