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In this investigation, the characterisation and preparation of Si2N2O particles from red matta rice husk and its epoxy biocomposites were characterized and examined. This study's objective is to evaluate the mechanical, wear, creep, thermal stability, flammability, and hydrophobicity behaviours of a Si2N2O -epoxy biocomposites coating for wood protection applications. According to the results of this experiment, silane-treated Si2N2O particles perform better when included than as-received particles. The composite with the designation RS22 exhibits the highest measured values for tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and Izod impact, respectively, of about 107 MPa, 4.31 GPa, 141 MPa, 5.61 GPa, and 1.1 J. However, as the volume percentage of Si2N2O particles is increased, a gradual decrement is seen. On the other hand, it is observed that the maximum wear resistance values were noted up to the 0.23 of coefficient of friction (COF) and 0.009 mm3/Nm for specific (sp.) wear rate by addition of 2.0 vol. % of silane-treated Si2N2O particles. Similar to this, for the same composite designation RS33, the lowest reported creep values were noted at about 0.0041, 0.0055, 0.0058, 0.0094, and 0.0103 for 2000 s, 4000 s, 6000 s, 8000 s, and 10,000 s, respectively. For the identical composite designated RS33, addition of silane-treated Si2N2O particles by 2.0 vol.% results in a minimal weight loss, a highest decomposition temperature of around 440°C, and the greatest degree of contact angle of roughly 126°. Accordingly, inclusion of Si2N2O up to 2.0 vol.% influences oxygen permeability in the same manner up to 1.5 (10x-2 cc.mm/(m2.d.atm)) and water permeability around 1.0 WC%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, many attempts have been made to make a composite either fully or partially from natural fiber as a part of sustainable development, which has superior strength compared to other natural fibers like flax, sisal, bamboo, and banana leaves. Basalt fiber is one of the naturally available mineral fibers that can overcome the issue of the low mechanical strength of natural fibers. The objective of this research is to determine the effect of hybridization on glass fiber composites with different weight fractions of basalt fiber. Composite laminates were made using the hand lay-up method from plain bidirectional glass fiber and plain bidirectional basalt fiber with epoxy as the thermosetting matrix material. Basalt fiber weight fraction varied to 0%, 26%, 54%, 84%, and 100% during the development of different laminates, and their density and mechanical characterizations were investigated using ASTM standards. A density test was carried out to evaluate the specific strength of different laminates. To evaluate the effects of different fiber weight fractions on the mechanical characteristics of the composite, tensile, flexural, and impact tests were carried out. It was observed that, compared to non-hybrid composites, hybrid composites showed superior properties in flexural, tensile, and impact tests. The results presented in this study show that in hybrid composites, different fiber weight fractions play a crucial role in the properties of the hybrid composite. one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to see if there were any statistically significant differences between the measured mechanical properties. As one of the major benefits of composites is their high ratio of strength to weight, a comparison of specific properties is carried out, and the positive effect of hybridization was observed.

Abstract Researchers have recently altered their focus and have become more interested in natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites because they are more ecologically friendly and environmentally conscious than synthetic fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Among the best sources of natural fiber, Grewia ferruginea, sometimes known locally as Lenquata, is a source of natural fiber from other plant fibers. The goal of this study was to create polyester matrix composites reinforced with short Grewia ferruginea plant fibers measuring 10, 20, and 30 mm. The fibers were extracted using the traditional water-retting method and chemically treated with 5% NaOH. The findings indicated that the average tensile strength of a single fiber from Grewia ferruginea plants is 214 MPa, with a density of 1.11 g/cm3. Furthermore, the composite, which was created with a fiber length of 10 mm, fiber weight ratio of 25 %, and polyester matrix composite of 75 %, exhibited superior performance since it is stronger than any combination that was used to create the composite in this investigation, with 18.3 MPa tensile and 35.2 MPa flexural strength.

In recent years, many attempts have been made to make a composite either fully or partially from natural fiber as a part of sustainable development, which has superior strength compared to other natural fibers like flax, sisal, bamboo, and banana leaves. Basalt fiber is one of the naturally available mineral fibers that can overcome the issue of the low mechanical strength of natural fibers. The objective of this research is to determine the effect of hybridization on glass fiber composites with different weight fractions of basalt fiber. Composite laminates were made using the hand lay-up method from plain bidirectional glass fiber and plain bidirectional basalt fiber with epoxy as the thermosetting matrix material. Basalt fiber weight fraction varied to 0%, 26%, 54%, 84%, and 100% during the development of different laminates, and their density and mechanical characterizations were investigated using ASTM standards. A density test was carried out to evaluate the specific strength of different laminates. To evaluate the effects of different fiber weight fractions on the mechanical characteristics of the composite, tensile, flexural, and impact tests were carried out. It was observed that, compared to nonhybrid composites, hybrid composites showed superior properties in flexural, tensile, and impact tests. The results presented in this study show that in hybrid composites, different fiber weight fractions play a crucial role in the properties of the hybrid composite. one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to see if there were any statistically significant differences between the measured mechanical properties. As one of the major benefits of composites is their high ratio of strength to weight, a comparison of specific properties is carried out, and the positive effect of hybridization was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have recently altered their focus and have become more interested in natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites because they are more ecologically friendly and environmentally conscious than synthetic fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Among the best sources of natural fiber, Grewia ferruginea, sometimes known locally as Lenquata, is a source of natural fiber from other plant fibers. The goal of this study was to create polyester matrix composites reinforced with short Grewia ferruginea plant fibers measuring 10, 20, and 30 mm. The fibers were extracted using the traditional water-retting method and chemically treated with 5% NaOH. The findings indicated that the average tensile strength of a single fiber from Grewia ferruginea plants is 214 MPa, with a density of 1.11 g/cm3. Furthermore, the composite, which was created with a fiber length of 10 mm, fiber weight ratio of 25 %, and polyester matrix composite of 75 %, exhibited superior performance since it is stronger than any combination that was used to create the composite in this investigation, with 18.3 MPa tensile and 35.2 MPa flexural strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focuses on exploring the effectiveness of Turtle Shell Powder (TSP) as a new and unique approach to use it as a filler material while fabricating kenaf/epoxy composites and investigating its potential application. The FRP composite of kenaf/epoxy reinforced with TSP filler was manufactured at various loading (1%, 3% and 5% by weight). The influence of TSP filled KFRP composite was studied and compared with the results of mechanical properties. SEM was employed to conduct morphological traits of the tensile fracture for the K0 and K5 samples with this EDAX also analysed. A notable enhancement observed from the result is the 5% TSP reinforced composite (K5) compared to other samples. This enhancement was ascribed to the improved dispersion and interfacial bonding between the reinforcement and the matrix in the composites, leading to more efficient load transfer mechanisms. The performance of TSP particles dramatically improves the strength of the laminated composites, and the inclusion of ply orientation further strengthens the interfacial bonding between TSP, epoxy and kenaf components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites are new materials that combine two or more distinct components with diverse properties to create a new material with improved properties. The goal of this endeavor was to use fiber preparation wastes, or waste from cotton spinning mill blow room and carding, to produce bio composites based on starch. The matrix was prepared using the starches of potatoes, maize, and arrowroot, and any remaining reinforcing material was used. A hand layup technique was used to make the bio-composites. Tensile, bending, density, water absorbency, and SEM testing were among the studies used to illustrate the starch-based biodegradable materials. The maximum tensile strength of 0.49 MPa is displayed by sample AB. The resistive bending force of 3.71 MPa is greatest in Sample AB. The most uniform combination of reinforcing material (wastage cotton) and matrix is seen in PB's SEM picture. Among the samples, AB had the greatest density value, measuring 0.35 g/cm3. The sample PC had the highest absorption findings in both water and the 5 % HCl combination because carding waste had more fiber than blow room and fiber absorbs more water. The resultant bio-composites made of starch had the potential to replace Styrofoam.

Features such as environment friendly and low cost attract the industrialists toward natural composites. The utilization of agricultural wastes in the manufacturing of natural composites expands its usage in several industrial applications. Hence, the research on the extensive usage of agricultural wastes is still required. Consequently, in this research, an attempt has been made to fabricate the natural composites using the agricultural wastes like Indian almond fruit and neem seed. Indian almond fiber was extracted from the fruit and neem seed were converted into powder form. Composite was prepared by conventional hand layup technique. The fiber quantity was kept as constant and neem seed particle (NSP) volume fractions were varied from 2.5 to 10 wt%. Mechanical tests like tensile, flexural, impact and hardness were determined. Results indicated that the fiber and NSP showed good reinforcement effect. The Indian almond composite (IAC) with 7.5 wt% NSP, that is, IAC/7.5 wt% NSP composite, exhibited the better mechanical properties. Further, the IAC/10 wt% NSP composite displayed the less water absorption and least degradation. This study suggests that the IAC/7.5 wt% NSP composite could be used in industrial applications due to its good mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application suitability of natural fibers is increased by the method of hybridization. The current study deals with the development and characterization of four different tri-layer composites by varying the stacking sequence of Parthenium hysterophorus and Impomea pes-caprae fibers with epoxy as a matrix, by using the conventional hand layup process. The mechanical properties, namely tensile, flexural, impact, Shore D hardness, and water absorption properties, were analyzed as per ASTM. The test results show that composites with upper layers of Impomea pes-caprae and a core layer of Parthenium hysterophorus fibers showed enhanced mechanical properties and reduced water absorption, thereby proving its suitability for lightweight medium load applications. Morphological studies using Scanning Electron Microscope elucidated the fiber bonding and void characteristics of the tested composites.

The present study deals with finding the optimum fiber content and effect of alkali treatment on the mechanical properties of the proposed Cocos-nucifera-reinforced polymer matrix composite. The present work is carried out in two different phases. First, the optimum fiber weight fractions for untreated Cocos nucifera composite are found out and later the effect of alkali treatment on the mechanical behavior of composite with optimum weight fraction of fibers selected in the first phase is determined. Proposed composites are mechanically characterized to determine the optimum fiber percentage to be used in composite and the effect of NaOH treatment on the mechanical properties of the composite with optimum fiber percentage is studied along with the determination of optimal NaOH concentration to be used. The results were analyzed by comparing the mechanical properties of the various composites and the effect of alkali treatment on the fibers of the composites was also studied. The obtained results showed that proposed composite with 40 wt% untreated fiber exhibits better mechanical properties compared to its counterparts and treating the fibers of the composite with 10% NaOH concentration further enhances the mechanical properties of the composite. The proposed composite can be a potential candidate for automobile interior application.

In recent years, there has been a surge in the use of natural fiber polymer-based composites in various engineering fields due to their numerous advantages, including lower environmental pollution, ease of processing, high strength, and biodegradability. This study employed the Taguchi method to experimentally and statistically examine the effects of various fiber parameters on the tensile strength of a locally developed natural fiber-epoxy composite. The natural fiber used in the study was “Meriz,” a type of goat hair woven into the traditional Kurdish costume known as “Shall.” The fiber parameters examined included fiber orientation angles, weight fraction, form, and color. The results indicated that the tensile strength of the composite was improved by 100% when using the Meriz fiber with certain orientation angles, weight fraction, form, and colors, namely 0°/90°, 10 wt%, Shall, and brown, respectively. The analysis of variance also revealed that the fiber form had the most significant impact on tensile strength, contributing 40.74%. Confirmation testing demonstrated good agreement between the experimental and statistical data. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to assess the interfacial bonding between the fiber reinforcement and the matrix and to analyze the fracture surface of the specimens with the highest and lowest tensile strength. The results indicated that the specimen with the highest tensile strength had excellent interfacial bonding compared to the specimen with the lowest tensile strength.

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites are gathering significance in future trend applications such as automotive, aerospace, sport, and other engineering applications due to their superior enhanced mechanical, wear, and thermal properties. Compared to synthetic fiber, natural fiber is low adhesive and flexural strength properties. The research aims to synthesize the epoxy hybrid composites by utilizing the silane (pH = 4) treated Kenaf (KF) and sisal fiber (SF) as layering by uni, bi, and multi-unidirectional via hand layup techniques. Thirteen composite samples have been prepared by three-layer formation adopted with different weight ratios of E/KF/SF such as 100E/0KF/0SF, 70E/30KF/0SF, 70E/0KF/30SF, 70E/20KF/10SF, and 70E/10KF/20SF respectively. The effect of layer formation on the tensile, flexural, and impact strength of composites is studied by ASTM D638, D790, and D256 standards. The unidirectional fiber layer formed (sample 5) 70E/10KF/20SF composite is found maximum tensile and flexural strength of 57.9 ± 1.2 MPa and 78.65 ± 1.8 MPa. This composite is subjected to wear studies by pin-on-disc wear apparatus configured with a hardened grey cast-iron plate under an applied load of 10, 20, 30, and 40 N at different sliding velocities of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 m/s. The wear rate of the sample progressively increases with increasing load and sliding speed of the composite. The minimum wear rate of 0.012 mg/min (sample 4) is found on 7.6 N frictional force at 0.1 m/s sliding speed. Moreover, sample 4 at a high velocity of 0.7 m/s with a low load (10 N) shows a wear rate of 0.034 mg/min. The wear-worn surface is examined and found adhesive and abrasive wear on a high frictional force of 18.54 N at 0.7 m/s. The enhanced mechanical and wear behavior of sample 5 is recommended for automotive seat frame applications.

Fibre metal laminates (FML) play a significant role in the aircraft industry. The present work is to achieve a high load bearing structure and wear resistant FML for airbus cargo floors and doors. An innovative attempt has been made to reveal the mechanical and tribological properties of the FML (Glass/AZ91D/Glass). The glass fibre used is of bi-diagonal fabric to enhance the shear properties of the FML. The laminates were prepared by hand layup technique, which was post compressed to a uniform shape in the compression moulding machine. Mechanical tests such as tensile, flexural, and low-velocity impact were conducted on the FML samples. The mechanical properties of the magnesium-based FML exhibit an excellent tensile strength of 227.3 MPa, the flexural strength of 231.3 MPa, and the energy absorbed by the plate are 93.648 J. These results were promising, and comparatively better than the conventional laminates in the case of load bearing structures. The wear was tested in Pin-on-Disc and the wear resistance was also found to be better than conventional laminates. The micro-structural analysis along the wear regime shows a prominent wear resistance and fewer cracks, due to the presence of AZ91D in the laminates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite materials have always attracted interest from researchers as well as end-users at the same time, due to its flexibility and low cost. Our present study deals with the possible usage of natural fibres extracted from the banyan tree (Ficus Benghalensis) for engineering applications. Epoxy resin (Araldite LY 556) and anhydride hardener (HY 917) are used as the matrix to fabricate the composite panel. In this research work, 30% of fibre derived from banyan aerial root has been reinforced with 70% of polymer mat to study for its mechanical properties such as tensile strength and flexural strength. The processing of the composite materials is done by hand layup process at room temperature. Later specimens are cut from the prepared composite laminates according to the ASTM 3039 (tensile) and ASTM D790 (flexural) Standards. Finally, the Fractography of the mechanically tested specimens was analysed using FESEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Natural Fibers is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Natural Fibers is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Carbon-fiber reinforced polymer composite materials are used throughout industry for their excellent mechanical properties; in particular, these composites boast high specific stiffnesses and specific strengths. However, current limitations on manufacturing, which vary greatly based on the technology that is utilized, restrict access to composite materials in a variety of applications. Traditional wet hand-layups offer a large diversity of viable constituent materials, but the fabrication geometry is limited and the manual process is time-consuming. In contrast, fiber 3D-printing (F3DP) allows for the production of complex geometries and requires little manual labor. In this study, laminates with continuous carbon fiber reinforcement printed using a commercially-available 3D printer are compared to carbon fiber fabric-resin composites produced using manual layup techniques. Cross-ply [0,90,0,90,0]T laminates were fabricated and subject to mechanical testing in uniaxial tension and flexure. After normalization with respect to fiber volume fraction, we found that the tensile strength and stiffness of cross-ply carbon fiber composites manufactured using F3DP were higher than the tensile strength and stiffness of cross-ply specimens manufactured by a traditional hand-layup method; however, the hand-layup specimens exhibited higher strength and stiffness in flexure. The difference in material properties evident between the two fabrication methods suggests that each has its own suitable application. We anticipate that further studying the failure response of printed, fiber-reinforced composite materials to various loading modalities will give insight into potential areas of improvement for F3DP material selection and printing processes, particularly relating to void reduction. On a broader scale, comparing and analyzing the mechanical properties of composite laminates produced in these various methods will provide perspective on the viability of novel additive manufacturing methods for large-scale production and industrial applications.

Recently, composite materials were widely used in different applications due to their lightweight, and good thermal and mechanical properties. In this study, an attempt to manufacture laminate composites by hand layup was performed. Also, optimal parameters for the best surface roughness were investigated. Therefore, three parameters had been examined; spindle speed, feed rate, and depth of cut. The L9 Taguchi orthogonal array, signal to noise (S/N) ratio, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were selected to determine the optimum parameters. To create composites, the compression method was employed. Four different types of composites were manufactured with 2.8 mm thickness, to determine the effect of the parameters on the surface roughness and for specified parameters using the CNC milling machine. The weight fraction ratio of fibers was 39%, the polymer was 34%, and 27% for Aluminum. The results showed that the optimum parameters for surface roughness in milling machine of composites for Polyester resin for aluminum–fiberglass composite are; spindle speed=5000 r.p.m, feed rate=1600 mm/min, depth of cut=1.6 mm and Ra=1.853 μm, and for epoxy resin; aluminum–carbon fiber composite is spindle speed=4000 r.p.m, feed rate=800 mm/min, depth of cut=1.2 mm and Ra=2.43 μm.

The current study deals with the mechanical and morphological properties of sisal/bagasse fibers reinforced epoxy composites. The composites were developed by the hand layup process in four different proportions of sisal/bagasse fibers. The produced composites were characterized for its mechanical characteristics, namely, tensile, flexural, impact, Shore D hardness compression tests, water absorption and biodegradation tests as per ASTM. Morphologies were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy. It was inferred that composites with three layers of sisal fibers and a core layer of sisal fibers produced good properties.

The present experimental investigation focuses on the development of Areca/Sisal/Carbon reinforced epoxy hybrid composites under various stacking sequences and involves the assessment of their mechanical and morphological properties to evaluate their use in some railway interior applications. Nine different combinations of laminates were prepared by using the manual hand layup technique. Mechanical experiments such as tensile, flexural, impact, inter‐laminar shear strength and hardness tests were performed and the results envied the positive values which suggest the use of composites prepared in the study to be employed in some railway interior parts. The morphology of the composites was scrutinized using scanning electron microscopy and exposed the proper agglomeration of fibers in the matrix which in turn has influenced better mechanical properties. The experimental results convey that the hybridization of natural and synthetic fibers in polymer matrix would be an exciting prospect to be utilized in some railway interior applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays the position of natural fibers in the world fiber is stable, growing in the area of their application, not only in textiles but also in more eco-friendly composites. This work is focused on study of the effect of SiC as filler material on the banana peduncle/Carbon fibers reinforced hybrid composites. Four different laminates are fabricated by varying the matrix composition (BP, BP+SiC, carbon+BP, Carbon+BP+SiC ). The alkaline treatment with 6% NaoH of the BP fibers improves the specific strength and binding properties. The filler added composites laminates shows higher mechanical properties. From the results, it is seen that mechanical properties like Tensile, Flexural, ILSS, Impact and hardness are improved by 89, 75, 99, 68 and 64% by the addition of the SiC to the banana peduncle/Carbon fiber composite laminate.

Drive shaft plays a significant role in automotive power transmission. The weight of the drive shaft should be optimum to get better outcome. The selection of drive shaft is done based on the designed torsional strength. It means that torsional strength should be same irrespective of the material. In this present work the effort has been taken to evaluate the torsional strength of composite material drive shaft keeping the dimensions unaltered. Here drive shaft is manufactured using wire wound method. The materials chosen are glass fiber and epoxy as a main constituent. The efforts show the possible replacement of exiting drive shaft with composite one keeping all design parameters as constants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Natural Fibers is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present world scenario demands for the utilization of natural fiber‐reinforced polymeric composites as opposed to synthetic fiber‐reinforced composites mainly due to their environmental friendly behavior, availability in abundance, cost‐effectiveness, and lightweight and moderately high‐strength properties. Along with the above said advantages, the ease of manufacturing of natural fibers has made the researchers around the globe to exploit several locally available natural fibers to understand their feasibility as reinforcement phases in different polymeric composites and their suitability in various commercial and engineering applications. This research investigation has been conducted to discover a better natural/synthetic fiber‐reinforced polymer hybrid composite for commercial engineering applications. This research investigation intends to recognize the effect of laminate stacking sequence of Prosopis juliflora fibers (PJFs)/E‐glass/carbon fabrics reinforced hybrid epoxy composites under five different composite designations. Manual hand layup method is used as the fabrication method, while studies on physical, mechanical, and morphological properties have been conducted in this research work. From the results obtained, it is obvious that the properties of PJFs/E‐glass/carbon fabrics reinforced epoxy composites enhanced due to the hybridization with the addition of E‐glass and carbon fabrics in PJFs and augments its suitability in the use of engineering structural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A successful attempt has been made to develop coir fibre composites reinforced with graphene, epoxy and carbon fibre. The carbon fibres were arranged in an intercalated manner, which is similar to the coir fibres. The percentage composition of graphene was varied as 1, 2, 4 and 6% by weight of the holding matrix. Suitable surface modifications were done by treating natural fibres by 5% NaOH and 0.3% KMnO4 for better adhesion of fibre and epoxy resin. Sonication and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide treatments were also done to achieve the fine scattering of graphene in the epoxy matrix in order to achieve better mechanical behaviour. Moulds were made as per D638 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The treated fibres were then arranged in the mould by the conventional hand layup technique. Tensile testing was carried out to determine the mechanical properties of the composites. Two-way analysis of variance was used as a statistical tool to find the effect of parameters such as 'Percentage composition of graphene' and 'Type of mould' on the modulus of the composites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was conducted to determine the interferential adhesion and homogeneous distribution of fibres in the composite matrix. At last, field emission scanning electron microscopy analyses were also done to the specimens before and after tensile testing to determine the morphology of different entities present in the composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this concern study, the surging demands for regulating the environmental aspects associated with controlling a massive generated synthetic wastes in the field of structural applications, has motivated researchers to synthesize green products using agricultural wastes. Therefore, in this work, a novel hybrid epoxy composites based on alkali treated-date palm fiber and native coir fiber at different weight fractions were prepared using hand layup technique and investigated the hybridization effect of the resultant composites. Hybrid composites were characterized using several analytical techniques i.e. X-ray diffraction analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, contact angle measurement, dart impact test and tensile test. Reported results explored that the alkali treatment on date palm fiber had a reliable impact on the experimentally evaluated mechanical, hydrophobic and thermal properties of the resultant hybrid composites. The required structural properties for 50 wt% coir fiber incorporated in 50 wt% treated-date palm fiber based epoxy composites are 76.51 MPa tensile strength, 2.77% elongation limit, 832.2 J/m impact strength, and 100.2° contact angle, respectively possess highest value as compared to all other hybrid composites. Hence, the incorporation of 50 wt% treated-date palm fiber in 50 wt% coir fiber based epoxy composite has the best structural properties in terms of mechanical, water resistant and thermal properties for green rigid applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Syngonanthus nitens, locally called Sikki grass, is one of such potential natural fiber resources whose potential as a reinforcement in polymer matrix composite has not been explored till date. Natural fiber-reinforced epoxy composites are getting more importance between the research community in recent time. These types of composites are environment-friendly, biodegradable and having the comparable specific strength with respect to synthetic fiber composite. The present work is associated with fabrication of Syngonanthus nitens short fiber-reinforced epoxy polymer composite of different fiber fractions (10, 20, 30 and 40 wt%) by hand layup method. Mechanical tests were performed for characterization as per ASTM standard. It is observed that 30 wt% of fiber fraction composite gives the optimum strength among all weight percentage of fiber. EDS, XRD and FTIR analysis were carried out for finding the constituent proportion, crystallographic structure and organic functional group of the fiber and its composite. SEM study of fractured surfaces was also carried out for finding the fracture mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research attempts on the development of hybrid polymer composites with the natural fibres basalt and kenaf using hand layup technique. The composites were made at four different sequence combination to realize the hybrid composite with three stack layers, and it was compared with the individual three-stack layered basalt and kenaf composite. The mechanical behavior of the developed natural fiber reinforced composites was subjected to tensile test and bending test as per standards, and it was analyzed. The mechanical analysis revealed the maximum tensile strength of 111 MPa and the maximum flexural strength of 283.9 MPa for sample basalt fiber-reinforced and kenaf fiber-reinforced composites, respectively. Also, the fractured surface of the developed composites was analyzed under scanning electron microscopy to identify the failure modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the wear properties of epoxy nanocomposites containing GNP (Graphene Nanoplatelets). In this research, variation of GNP (0,0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 wt%) were used to make nanocomposites. The hand layup technique was used for the fabrication of different composites. The Taguchi method is used to optimize the wear test and its related characteristics. Analysis of variance is used to understand the correlation between input variables and response measurements. Load (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 kg) and time (4, 6, 8, and 10 min) are the main variables for exploring wear characteristics for this study. It has been discovered that minimum wear in terms of mass loss and friction coefficient are minimum at 0.5 wt% GNP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), and RAMAN spectroscopy were used to characterize the wear mechanism. The result shows that the optimized value is closer to the experimental value.

The aim of this work is to show the fracture toughness behavior of sisal reinforced epoxy composite using fracture toughness testing method by including most important fracture mechanics parameters which is called stress intensity factor K. The fracture toughness tests of chopped sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composite materials were carried out using test samples which were prepared according to the ASTM standard. The samples have been fabricated by using the epoxy resin (AY-105) as a matrix and the hardener (HY-951) and the chopped sisal fiber as a reinforcement material with the 15%, 25%, 30%, 35% and 40% fiber weight fraction, random oriented chopped fibers by using hand layup fabrication technique. The experimental results justify that the 30/70 composition of fiber and matrix has superior fracture characteristics with KIC of 5.54 MPa·m1/2 and critical strain energy release rate (GIC) of 13.72 MPa·mm and results of this study indicate that using chopped sisal fibers as reinforcement in polymer matrix could successfully develop a composite material in terms of high strength and rigidity for light weight material.