COMPARATIVE STUDY ON ORIENTATION OF FIBERS IN EPOXY ... · properties vary with change in orientation of fibers. The orientations used for this study are unidirectional, mat arrangement

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International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET)

Volume 9, Issue 3, March 2018, pp. 747–760, Article ID: IJMET_09_03_076

Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=9&IType=3

ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON ORIENTATION OF

FIBERS IN EPOXY COMPOSITES REINFORCED

WITH ALOE-VERA AND PALMYRA FIBERS

Narendiranath Babu.T

Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamilnadu, India

K.S. Tarun


Shivasai Bandaru


Mahesh Vattikuti


ABSTRACT

For the past few years researchers and scholars are focusing their study on non-

exhaustible sources of fibers to reinforce composites. This is due to the fact that fibers

that are obtained from fossil fuels are exhaustible and their demand is growing day by

day whose end is approaching at an alarming pace. In this scenario there is a need for

us to be future ready by studying natural fiber composites and replacing the fossil fuel

fibers with natural fibers. As a contribution to the future, this paper focuses on Epoxy

matrix composites reinforced with Palmyra and Aloe-Vera fibers and how their

properties vary with change in orientation of fibers. The orientations used for this

study are unidirectional, mat arrangement and mat arrangement with an inclination.

The properties evaluated are Tensile, Flexural, Impact strength and Hardness.

Keywords: Natural fiber composites, Orientation, Palmyra, Aloe-vera, Tensile,

Flexural, Hardness, Epoxy

Cite this Article: Narendiranath Babu.T, K.S. Tarun, Shivasai Bandaru and Mahesh

Vattikuti, Comparative Study on Orientation of Fibers in Epoxy Composites

Reinforced with Aloe-Vera and Palmyra Fibers, International Journal of Mechanical

Engineering and Technology, 9(3), 2018, pp. 747–760.

http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=9&IType=3

Comparative Study on Orientation of Fibers in Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Aloe-Vera and

Palmyra Fibers


1. INTRODUCTION

Natural fiber composites are used to replace composites made of synthetic fibers of high cost

due to their high strength, ease of availability and low cost. The properties of natural fiber

composites depend on few factors. They are

Type of fibers

Fiber orientation

Alkali treatment

Matrix material

Manufacturing process

Curing time

In this research work we concentrated on Palmyra and Aloe-Vera fibers to reinforce

Epoxy matrix. Below are few advantages of Natural fibers.

Available abundantly in nature.

Easy preparation.

Eco friendly.

Non exhaustible source.

High strength to weight ratio.

Low cost.

1.1. Palmyra fibers

Palmyra (Borassus flabellifer) fibers are naturally occurring fibers usually extracted from

Date palm, Oil palm or any other kind of palm tree. These fibers are usually found at the

junction where leaves meet the stem. They can also be found in the fruits of palm tree. The

ones that are used here were obtained from the junction of stem and leaves.

For extracting the fiber, the raw fibers were soaked in salt water for almost a month and

then rinsed thoroughly to remove the binding material. The fibers are then dried in sun light.

1.2. ALOE-VERA FIBERS

Aloe-Vera fibers are very strong natural fibers obtained from Aloe-Vera, an evergreen plant

which is available everywhere from domestic households to tropical rainforests.

To extract the fibers from Aloe-Vera, the leaves are peeled and washed to remove the gel.

The fibers are then extracted and dried.

Figure 1 Palmyra and Aloe fiber#

Narendiranath Babu.T, K.S. Tarun, Shivasai Bandaru and Mahesh Vattikuti


1.3. PREVIOUS WORK

Use of natural fiber composites are growing rapidly due to their potential to replace plastics at

lower cost, high ease of availability and improved sustainability. Padmanabhan et al. [1]

investigated the dependence of mechanical properties on volume fraction and determined that

high volume ratio fiber reinforcement had highest tensile strength whereas low volume ratio

had highest impact value. The Charpy test of woven arrangement of coir and aloe fibers

showed that bidirectional mat arrangement has maximum performance and it was inferred

from moisture absorption test that coir absorbs more moisture than aloe vera due to presence

of micro voids [2]. The flexural and tensile properties of woven aloe and sisal reinforced

epoxy composites were determined and it was found that hybridisation of fibers improved

impact strength and alkali treatment of fibers enhanced its mechanical properties [3].

Somen Biswal et al. [4] studied the wear behaviour of epoxy composites reinforced with

Palmyra fibers, it was inferred that increasing the fiber loading improves the wear resistance

of the material and sliding velocity also affects the wear performances. Shanmugam et al. [5]

determined the static and dynamic mechanical properties of alkali treated Palmyra fiber

reinforced polyester composites. It was evident from the analysis that alkali treatment

significantly enhanced tensile and flexural properties and moreover storage modulus was

dependent on temperature. G Venkatachalam et al. [6] performed flexural analysis in palm

fiber reinforced polymer composite and their study showed that with an increase in volume of

fibers, ultimate flexural strength also increased. It was also seen that duration of chemical

treatment also played a significant role in its properties.

Hybridization of natural fiber with synthetic fiber enhanced mechanical properties for day

to day applications and it was found that properties of skin core construction was better than

dispersed type [7]. Composites exhibit hydrophilic nature which makes them unsuitable for

use in wet environments and they can be altered to use it effectively in dry environments [9].

An increase in SPF content in Palmyra fiber reinforced epoxy composites leads to increase in

void fraction. These type of composites are useful in low load applications [10]. Velmurugan

et al. [11] used analytical and experimental techniques to verify mechanical properties and

made a comparative study on above data to determine error percentage. In Palmyra and coir

fiber reinforced hybrid composite, the mechanical properties increased significantly on

addition of coir fiber. There was a 37% increase in tensile strength and 60% in impact

strength on inclusion of coir fiber. Palmyra with 40% and coir with 60% had highest

mechanical properties [12].

Table 1 the work done till now in NFC reinforced with Palmyra and Aloe-Vera.

Journal

reference

Number

Material used Treatment of

fibers

Tests

performed Results

Reinforcements Matrix

1 Betel nut and glass

fiber polypropylene

FTIR,

Flexural,

tensile and

Impact, SEM

Tensile strength-

21MPa (5%)

Flexural

strength – 24

MPa (20%)

2 Bagasse and aloe

vera Epoxy NaOH

Tensile,

flexural and

impact

Tensile strength

-16.421 MPa

Flexural

strength –

38.548MPa

Impact – 0.35 J


Palmyra Fibers


3 Aloe vera and coir Epoxy NaOH

Impact, water

absorption

test and SEM

analysis

Impact 23

KJ/M2.

4 Aloe vera and sisal Epoxy

Tensile,

flexural and

impact

Tensile strength-

27 MPa

Flexural

strength- 3 MPa

Impact – 0.6 J

5 Palmyra Epoxy

Sliding wear

test, Taguchi

experimental

design

Wear resistance

increases by

increasing fiber

loading

6 Palmyra and jute Polyester 5% NaOH

Tensile,

Flexural,

DMA and

Impact

Tensile strength-

83.3 MPa

Flexural

strength – 164

MPa

Impact 36.38

KJ/M2

7 Palm

General

purpose resin

and natural

resin

extracted

from cashew

nut shell

NaOH Flexural

Flexural

strength- 26.47

MPa

8 Palmyra and glass Rooflite

Tensile,

Flexural,

impact and

shear.

Tensile strength-

42.65 MPa

Flexural

strength – 59.19

Impact – 6.05

J/M2

Shear strength-

9.48 MPa

9 Palmyra and

banana

Epoxy and

unsaturated

polyster

Flexural,

Youngs

modulus and

impact

Flexural

strength –

163.23 MPa

Tensile modulus

– 6217 MPa

Impact strength-

286.37 J/M

10 Palmyra Epoxy 1% NaOH

Tensile and

water

absorption

strength

Tensile strength

– 40 MPa

11 Palmyra epoxy

Tensile,

Flexural and

morphology.

Tensile strength

- 158 MPa

Flexural

strength –

64MPa



12 Palmyra Epoxy 5% NaOH Tensile Tensile strength

– 20.6 MPa

13 Palmyra Unsaturated

polyester

Tensile,

Flexural and

impact

Tensile strength

– 37 MPa

Flexural

strength – 56

MPa

Impact strength

– 8.5 KJ/cm2

1.4. GAPS IN LITERATURE

From the above review it is evident that not much research is available regarding the

usage of Aloe- Vera fiber alone to reinforce different polymer matrices.

The limited research which is available focuses on the hybridization of aloe with other

fibers but not individually.

Unidirectional arrangement of Aloe-Vera fibers was left unstudied. This scenario

opens doors for researchers to study the properties of individual Aloe-Vera fibers.

Orientation of fibers in the case of Areca and Palmyra fibers was not emphasized on.

Above are the few shortcomings of the research till now and this paper fills the above

gaps and provides complete flow of literature for anyone hereafter, wishes to study about

Aloe-Vera and Palmyra fibers reinforced NFC.

2. METHODOLOGY

Figure 1 Flow chart showing the work done sequentially

2.1. Background study and preperation

Background of NFC is huge and requires to be given proper importance before jumping into

the research.

Literature survey

Procurement of Fibers and Epoxy

Alkali treatment (NaOH)

Straightening the fibers

Sample preperation

Performing the Tests

Conclusions


Palmyra Fibers


1. Literature survey

All the research papers are attached in the reference column for the reference.

2. Procurement of fibers

Fibers were procured from an online store on the internet.

2.2.Preparing the fibers

Fibers as such, obtained from the store were not ready to be used for sample preparation.

They needed a little cleanup and alkali treatment.

1. Alkali treatment

Alkali treatment proved to improve the adhesive properties and hence the mechanical

properties of the NFC. In this case also the fibers of both Palmyra and Aloe were washed with

NaOH solution (4% w/w) and then with distilled water.

2. Straightening the fibers

Fibers got tangled while washing and hence were put under UTM for a few seconds to

straighten them.

2.3. Sample preperation

This paper emphasizes on evaluating mechanical properties like Tensile, Impact and Flexural

strengths so samples for the above tests were prepared. The ASTM standards were followed

during the sample preparation. The standards used and figures of samples are attached below

for the reference.

Table 2 Standards followed for sample preparation

S. No Tests conducted ASTM Standard

1 Tensile ASTM D638

2 Bending ASTM D790

3 Impact ASTM A370

Figure 2 Tensile test specimen (D638)

Figure 3 Flexural test specimen (D790)



Figure 4 Impact test specimen (A370)

A total of eighteen samples which contained six Tensile, six Flexural and six Impact test

specimen were created. six of each test specimen contained three orientations of two fibers.

Three orientations were unidirectional, mat arrangement and cris-scross arrangement.

Figure 5 Test specimen for Tensile, Impact and Flexural tests.

3. EXPERIMENTATION

3.1. Flexural Analysis

Instron Tensometer was used to find the flexural properties of the composites using three oint

bending test. Feed rate was set to 1mm/min throughout the experiment.

Figure 6 Three point bending test for Flexural properties.


Palmyra Fibers


Figure 7 Samples after the Flexural test

3.2. Impact Testing

Digital charpy impact testing setup was used to find impact properties of the composites.

Figure 8 Digital charpy impact test setup and samples after the test.

3.3. Hardness Testing

To test the surface hardness, Rockwell hardness setup with ball indenter with initial load of 30

N and then with total load of 100 N was used.

Figure 9 Rockwell hardness testing setup.

3.4. Tensile Testing

The same Instron machine was used to measure the tensile properties but with a tensile setup.



Figure 10 Tensile testing specimen.

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.1. Flexural analysis

Flexural analysis on the six samples showed the following results.

4.1.1. PALMYRA

Figure 11 Stress Vs Strain graphs of palmyra fiber composites.

Table 3 Flexural properties of Palmyra fiber compoites

Arrangement

Maximu

m Load

(N)

Maximum

Flexure

stress

(MPa)

Maximum

Flexure

extension

(mm)

1 CRISS CROSS 39.83 37.34417 6.753

2 MAT 31.80 29.81164 3.951

3 UNI 24.10 22.59202 9.618

4.1.2. ALOE-VERA

Figure 12 Stress Vs Strain graphs of Aloevera fiber composites.


Palmyra Fibers


Table 4 Flexural properties of Aloevera fiber composites

Arrangement Maximum

Load (N)

Maximum Flexure

stress (MPa)

Maximum Flexure

extension (mm)

1 CRISS CROSS 54.07 50.69375 3.345

2 MAT 53.69 50.33612 2.814

3 UNI 46.39 43.49091 4.249

4.1.3. DISCUSSIONS

Maximum flexural stress for Palmyra fiber occurred in the case of criss-cross

arrangement followed by mat and then Unidirectional.

The results are on par with the research done in the reference [12].

The same trend was discovered in the case of Aloe-Vera fiber composites.

Maximum deflection was found in the case of unidirectional in both the fibers.

The maximum flexural strength in crisscross is due to the arrangement of fibers which

resists the load.

Figure 13 Comparision of flexural strengths of Palmyra and Aloevera

4.2. Tensile Analysis

4.2.1. Palmyra

Figure 14 Tensile stress Vs Strain graphs of palmyra fiber composites.

Table 5 Tensile properties of Palmyra fiber composites

Arrangement Maximum Load (N) UTS (GPa) Modulus (Young's) (MPa)

CRISS CROSS 382.29227 0.005 1104.119

MAT 470.93630 0.006 2095.263

UNIDIRECTIONAL 595.43848 0.007 1571.614



4.2.2. Aloevera

Figure 15 Tensile stress Vs Strain graphs of Aloevera fiber composites.

Table 6 Tensile properties of Aloevera fiber composites

Arrangement Maximum Load

(N)

UTS

(GPa)

Modulus (Young's)

(MPa)

CRISS CROSS 641.82281 0.008 2125.665

MAT 697.30282 0.009 1747.751

UNIDIRECTIONA

L 724.48825 0.011 1936.557

Figure 16 Comparision of tensile strengths of Palmyra and Aloevera

4.2.3. Discussions

Tensile strength of sample with unidirectional arrangement was higher than the other

two arrangements in both the fibers.

Strength of mat arrangement is higher than that of crisscross arrangement and less than

that of unidirectional arrangement.

Crisscross arrangement has least strength because the fiber length in crisscross

arrangement is less than the others.

Tensile strength is higher for the composites with the fiber running throughout the

length.

0

0.005

0.01

0.015

Aloevera Palmyra

Tensile analysis

CRISS CROSS MAT UNIDIRECTIONAL


Palmyra Fibers


4.3. HARDNESS

4.3.1. Palmyra fibers

Table 7 Hardness number of Palmyra fiber composites

S.no. Arrangement Reading 1 Reading 2 Reading 3 Average

1 CRISS CROSS 92 74.8 83.7 83.5

2 MAT 91.4 68.6 79.9 79.67

3 UNIDIRECTIONAL 70.4 82.9 90.9 81.4

4.3.2. Aloe fibers

Table 8 Hardness number of Aloevra fiber composites

S.no. Arrangement Reading 1 Reading 2 Reading 3 Average

1 CRISS CROSS 52.1 56.9 55.3 54.76

2 MAT 61.8 64.5 77.6 67.96

3 UNIDIRECTIONAL 56.2 58.7 52.5 55.8

4.3.3. Discussions

The overall hardness is higher in the case of Palmyra fibers.

This is because of the adherence of epoxy to the fibers.

No proper trend is observed in the case of composites as their properties vary from

point to point

4.4. Impact Analysis

4.4.1. Palmyra Fibers

Table 9 Impact properties of Palmyra fiber composites

S. No Arrangement Energy Absorbed Impact strength

1 Unidirectional 1.5 17.64 kJ/m2

2 Crisscross 1.45 17.05 kJ/m2

3 Mat 1.3 J/m2

4.4.2. Aloevera

Table 10 Impact properties of Aloevera fiber composites

S. No Arrangement Energy Absorbed Impact strength

1 Unidirectional 1.8 21.1 kJ/m2

2 Criss cross 1.7 20.0 kJ/m2

3 Mat 1.4 16.5 kJ/m2



Figure 17 Comparision of Impact strengths of Palmyra and Aloevera

4.4.3. Discussions

Impact strength for both Criss-cross and unidirectional arrangement is almost same in

both the cases of Palmyra and Aloe-Vera.

Mat arrangement has less impact strength in both the fibers.

This can be understood from the fact that in a given cross section mat arrangement

might have less number of fibers than the others.

5. CONCLUSIONS

The Impact, Tensile, Flexural and Hardness properties of Palmyra and Aloevera fiber

composites are determined and the results are tabulated. From tables 3 and 4 it is evident that

the crisscross arrangement has higher flexural properties than the other two. So, this

arrangement can be used in applications where flexural forces dominate. The applications

include construction equipment, building panels, furniture etc.

It can be inferred from tables 5 and 6 that the tensile property of unidirectional fiber

composites is higher in the case of both palmyra and aloevera. It can be used where the tensile

forces dominate. From tables 7 and 8 we can understand that there is certain pattern for

hardness. Overall hardness of aloevera is higher than the palmyra fiber composites. Aloevera

fiber composites can be used in applications with higher hardness. Impact properties of

unidirectional arrangement is higher in both fibers which is evident from tables 9 and 10. This

unidirectional composites can be used in applications that require high impact strength. The

applications include car bumpers, aircraft linings, automobile linings and other applications

like tennis racket frames etc.

REFERENCES

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Bagasse (Sugarcane)-Aloevera as Hybrid Natural Fibre Composites, International Journal

for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology, 3 (2015): 426-432.

[2] S. Yamini and Dr. Shanmugasundaram. Study Mechanical Behaviour of natural based

composite using coir and aloe vera, International Journal of Emerging Technology in

Computer Science & Electronics (2015): 0976-1353.

[3] Sekaran, A. Shadrach Jeya, K. Palani Kumar, and K. Pitchandi. Evaluation on mechanical

properties of woven aloevera and sisal fibre hybrid reinforced epoxy composites. Bulletin

of Materials Science, 38.5 (2015): 1183-1193.

0

5

10

15

20

25

Aloevera Palmyra

Impact analysis

Unidirectional Criss cross Mat


Palmyra Fibers


[4] Biswal, Somen and Alok Satapathy. Dry sliding wear behavior of epoxy composite

reinforced with short palmyra fibers, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and

Engineering. Vol. 115. No. 1. IOP Publishing, 2016.

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reinforced hybrid polyester composites, Materials & Design, 50 (2013): 533-542.

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[9] Nayak, Narayan C., and Antaryami Mishra, Development and mechanical charecterization

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[10] Biswal, Somen. Processing and Characterization of Epoxy Composites Reinforced with

Short Palmyra Fibers, PhD diss., 2016.

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[13] K.B.S.S. Rama Krishna, Dr. B Nagaraju, M. Raja Roy and B.B. Ashok Kumar, Studies on

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Documents

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON ORIENTATION OF FIBERS IN EPOXY ... · properties vary with change in orientation of fibers. The orientations used for this study are unidirectional, mat arrangement