Experimental Investigations on the Mechanical Properties of Randomly Distributed Short Fiber Reinforced Composites

Abstract

The composites have two or more chemically distinct phases on a microscopic scale, separated by a distinct interface. These are matrix and reinforcement or reinforcing phases. The composites are extremely used in Aerospace, Automobile, and Chemical/Pharmaceutical industries, and many other applications. The reason for increased use is their properties like high strength to weight ratio, high modulus, and outstanding corrosion and wear resistance, high fatigue endurance limit, and dimensional stability. Hence, the composite is attractive feasible material to replace metal and other conventional materials. newlineShort fiber-reinforced composites are not as strong or stiff as continuous fiber-reinforced composites. However, short fiber composites do have specific applications such as components having complex geometrical contours and ease the manufacturing process, while continuous fibers may not be practical because they may not conform to the desired shape without being damaged or distorted from the desired pattern. On the other hand, short fiber can be easily mixed with the liquid matrix resin, and the resin/fiber mixture can be injection or compression molded. Such processing methods are also fast and inexpensive, which makes them very attractive for high-volume applications. newlineThrough an extensive literature review, It is observed that experimental work is carried out by researchers on randomly oriented short fibers through this area require further attention with various combinations of fiber/matrix with varying fiber loading, Aspect ratio, etc. The precise effect of short banana fiber, short E glass fibers Reinforced with epoxy resin Composites on mechanical properties are hardly been found. newlineComposite plates were prepared by taking short fiber from one natural category (Banana fiber) and one fiber from manmade category (E-Glass fiber) with thermoset binders as epoxy to avail various combinations of fiber-matrix by Hand layup technique. Composite plates were cut to obtained short random fiber-reinforced composite s