Studies on Processing and Characterization of Natural Hybrid Sisal Palm Jute Composite

Abstract

In the current scenario, plastics play vital role in accessories of automobiles. newlineEventually, plastics are non-biodegradable and cause hazardous effects on human newlinehealth and the environment. The wastages of plastic products are very crucial to dispose newlineoff. Hence natural fibre composite comes into play. Mainly fibres are classified into newlinetwo types, namely synthetic fibres and natural fibres. Plants and animals are the newlineresources to produce natural fibres. Many classes of composite materials have emerged newlinewhich includes fibre reinforced plastics (FRP), Metal matrix composites (MMC), newlineceramic matrix composites and natural composites. newlinePalm trees are grown abundantly in India paving the way for development of newlinegreen material for use in the automotive sector. Palm-based hybrid composites are newlinefabricated using woven and random orientation through hand layup technique with a newlinepolymer resin. The weight fractions of fibres are equal for each layer (50:50) of hybrid newlinecomposite. The fabricated composites are characterised based on Tensile, Flexural, newlineImpact, Hardness, Water absorption, Inter de lamination and surface morphology. newlineMorphological study of fracture surfaces of the different test samples is carried out newlineusing (CMM) vision technique, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and newlineMetallurgical Microscope. The energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) is conducted newlineto know the chemical composition of the composites. newlinevii newlineExperimentally determined properties of the composites made from this work newlineare compared with various theories. This comparison was made with the assumption newlinethat the composites are voids free, uniform shape of the fibre and are uniformly laid. newlineOur research work deals with the property characteristics of Palm, Sisal and Jute fibre newlinemade hybrid composites. Hand layup technique is followed in random and woven mat newlinefabrication; polymer resin is vinyl ester and is used to prepare the specimen. Natural newlinefibres are collected from local farmers and extracted by stem explosion method and are newlinecleaned, treated as per our requirement. Specimens were prepared as per ASTM newlineStandards and tested to evaluate Tensile strength, Flexural strength Impact strength, newlineHardness, water absorption properties, surface temperature and surface morphology for newlineall the combination. Room temperature is maintained to mould the specimen since the newlineresin vinyl ester is the best for curing in the range of atmospheric temperature. newlineThe fibre content, orientation, type of resin and method of moulding matter in newlinethe mechanical behaviour of materials was studied. Hence, increasing fibre content newlinecauses increasing behaviour of cellulose which gives excellent mechanical properties. newlineMoulding, Bonding and curing factors involve the composite behaviour. Surface newlinemorphology shows the uneven bonding, voids, uneven gap between fibres due to pullout newlineduring fabrication are major moulding defects which will be satisfied when it newlinecomes to mass production and proper production setups. newlineviii newlineThe effect of weaving on the mechanical behaviour of the composite is also newlineanalysed. Plain weave architecture gives better mechanical properties such as tensile, newlineflexural and impact. Layering sequence and its effects on mechanical properties of newlinehybrid composites were examined. The result shows that the arrangement of layering newlinehas a more significant effect on mechanical behaviour. The surface morphology and newlineSEM analysis show the failures of composites are due to the interface between the newlinelayers of the fabrics rather than fibre pull-out. newlineThis study investigates to improve the mechanical properties by hybridizing the newlinefibre layer. Hand lay-up process by the random and weaving technique is followed,and newlinethe results were compared. Equal weight percentage is maintained in each layer of newlinefibres. The resin Vinyl Ester is used in all cases with a 1:10 ratio to provide good newlinebonding and mechanical behaviour. The Composites of SP,PJ,SPJ,SPS and JPJ hybrid newlinefibre composite materials were prepared by hand layup technique, and its properties newlinewere studied. newline