Experimental Analysis of Mechanical and Wear Behaviour of Natural Fibre Composites

Abstract

Composite materials are among of the latest and major developments in material technology which have made significant impact in the field of engineering and technology. They have two phases, namely, matrix and reinforcement. Composites demonstrate combined properties of reinforcement and matrix to form stronger and stiffer materials that cannot be obtained from the constituent materials acting alone. They are a combination of two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties. In composites, a distinct reinforcement (in fiber form/particle form/whisker/fabric) is distributed in a matrix or binder or resin. newlineIn this research work, three categories of composite samples have been prepared namely, first category (C1) consisting of Hemp - Glass Fibre, second category (C2) consisting of Flax - Glass Fibre and the third category (C3) consisting of Hemp - Flax - Glass Fibre Hybrid Composite. The required interfacial adhesion and bonding between various layers of fiber has been achieved using Epoxy resin (LY556) and hardener (HY951) mixed in the ratio of 10:1. The tensile test, flexural test, impact test, double shear test and hardness test were conducted as per ASTM standards. The results showed category C3 Hybrid Composite having good mechanical behavior as compared to C1 and C2. Scanning Electron Microscope was used for the study the microscopic arrangement of tested samples fibers in the composites. newlineIn this research work, wear test was performed for the study of the wear behavior of C3 Hybrid Composites by taking the Load Applied, Sliding Speed and Sliding Distance as the main input parameters. This was to determine the optimum wear parameters for multiple performance characteristics like Mass Loss and Co-efficient of Friction. The experiment work was carried out by forming a L27 Taguchi Orthogonal array and optimization was done using Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). newlineFinite Element Analysis was done on modelled Motor Casing using the properties of Category 3 for a study of the stiffness and reliability of the composites. Three analyses, newlinev newlinenamely, Modal Analysis, Rotor Dynamics and Structural Transient Analysis were carried out to check the stiffness, reliability towards operating frequency and durability of motor casing made up of C3 composite. Modal Analysis C3 Hybrid Composite showed more stiffness compared to other two fibres. Campbell diagram was plotted between Frequency (Vs) Speed of the motor to predict the critical speed. The operating frequency and operating speed did not match with the critical speed and frequency. The analysis showed C3 Hybrid Composite having a wide range of speed falling away from operating frequency and operating speed. Structural Transient Analysis was performed to find the structural ability of the composite materials. Hybrid Composite C3 was seen having low deflection and equivalent stresses compared to other two composites. Force (Vs) Deflection curve and Stress (Vs) Strain curve was plotted to show the stiffness of the materials and Energy (Vs) Deflection curve plotted showed strain energy while deformation occurred. All the studies showed, the Hemp - Flax - Glass Fibre Hybrid Composite having higher stiffness and strength compared with other two composites making it a suitable material for automotive and electrical applications. newline