In this research work, an investigation was made on the mechanical properties of E-glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites filled by various filler materials. Composites filled with varying concentrations of fly ash, aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3), magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH) 2) and hematite powder were fabricated by standard method and the mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength, impact strength and hardness of the fabricated composites were studied. The test results show that composites filled by 10% volume Mg(OH) 2 exhibited maximum ultimate tensile strength and hardness. Fly ash filled composites exhibited maximum impact strength.

The aim of the research was to develop E-glass/jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites with an addition of Al 2 O 3 and bone powder by using hand layup technique and to compare tribological properties of these composites under similar test conditions. The wear experiments were designed according to Taguchi's (L 27) orthogonal array with three control variables such as sliding velocity, filler content and normal load. The results indicated that the normal load for Al 2 O 3 and filler content for bone powder emerged as the significant factors affecting specific wear rate of hybrid composites. An addition of 10 wt% of bone powder or Al 2 O 3 into E-glass/jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites increased the wear resistance considerably, and natural waste bone powder can be used instead of ceramic filler Al 2 O 3 in hybrid composites. After the analysis of control factors, an optimal factor setting has been suggested for specific wear rate and coefficient of friction. Further, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images for worn surfaces of hybrid composites were studied. Finally, a confirmation test was carried out to validate the results.

-In this paper an attempt has been made to optimize ply stacking sequence of single piece E-Glass/Epoxy, HM Carbon/Epoxy and Boron/Epoxy composite drive shafts using particle swarm optimization (PSOA). PSOA programme is developed using MATLAB V 7 to optimize the ply stacking sequence with an objective of weight minimization. The weight savings of the E-Glass/Epoxy, HM Carbon/Epoxy and Boron/Epoxy shaft are 51%, 87% and 85% of the steel shaft respectively. The optimum results of PSOA obtained are compared with results of genetic algorithm (GA) and found that PSOA yields better results than GA.

In order to improve thermo-hydraulic performance of laminar flow various techniques has been used among which a plain tube with twisted tape insert is widely used. The main objective is to numerically study flow field in order to enhance heat transfer, through a circular pipe built in with/without Dimples on twisted strip. Effect of plain and dimple strip on thermo hydraulic performance discussed. The analysis results for laminar range of 800<Re<2000 is obtained with twist ratio of the strip is 3.0. Analysis is carried for full length tape with constant heat flux. The simulation results of Nusselt number versus Reynolds number of the plain, plain twisted tape and Dimple twisted tape with the experimental data give variation of 2.5, 5.75 and 9.5%. The friction factor of Dimple twisted tape tube is 6 to 13 times that of the plain tube. The thermal performance factor of the Dimple twisted tape and plain twisted tape tube is 4 to 15% and 3 to 12 % respectively higher than that of plain tube. Due to increase in thermal performance factor of induced strip with dimples there is an intensification of heat transfer obtained through circular duct with dimple twisted tape insert than that of plain twisted tape and plain pipe. The use of a twisted tube compounded with dimples is feasible in terms of energy saving at lower Reynolds numbers. Present study is applicable for design of compact heat exchanger in order to optimize energy consumption.

No abstract