Experimental investigation on the mechanical properties of aluminium sandwiched sisal/kenaf/aloevera/jute/flax natural fibre-reinforced epoxy LY556/GY250 composites

Abstract

In engineering, composites have indicated a more profound influence in the recent development of materials with high strength to weight ratio. The purpose of this work is to identify the different and specific properties which a composite possesses when various reinforcement fibres are used in different epoxy matrix material. Composite materials have a major role to play with meeting that requirement. Many natural fibre composite materials possess good mechanical properties but still lack in satisfying applications requirements and alternate for which is seen as sandwich natural fibre composites. In this investigation, an effort has been made to study the mechanical properties exhibited by sandwich epoxy composite reinforced with various commonly used natural fibres, namely Aloevera, Kenaf, Sisal, Jute and Flax. The polymer resin used as matrix is also varied using Epoxy LY556 and Epoxy GY250. The originality of this work is in the use of Epoxy GY250 to fabricate sandwich composites with five commonly available natural fibres and compare its performance to the more widely used Epoxy LY556. It has been determined through various mechanical tests, which particular epoxy resin bonds better with the natural fibres namely, jute, sisal, aloe vera, kenaf and flax thereby providing better tensile, impact and flexural properties. The investigation is hoped to provide an insight into how the environmentally friendly natural fibres interact with the varying matrix resins and how this interaction affects the mechanical properties of said composites.

Effect of silanized stackedKevlar fiber/brass 270 wire mesh on mechanical and impact toughness of cubic boron nitride–epoxy composite

“…This growth in results is due to the presence of 3.0% CBN particles, which efficiently transmit applied loads and lower the stress intensity factor for all composite designations. [ 31 ]…”

“…This growth in results is due to the presence of 3.0% CBN particles, which efficiently transmit applied loads and lower the stress intensity factor for all composite designations. [31] Figure 3A-D shows the scanning electron microscope images of composite designation EO2, which gives cumulatively improved results in all properties. Figure 3A shows the debris of fiber, mesh wire and matrix phases in the fractured portion.…”

Effect of hybridization on properties of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) seed nano‐powder incorporated jute‐hemp fibers reinforced epoxy composites

“…HF are good in heat conduction, anti‐bacterial properties and blocking ultraviolet rays while JF has better characteristics owing to their higher cellulose content. HF showcases better load bearing capability when used as reinforcement in polymer matrix composites and it also possess lower coefficient of friction along with higher frictional resistance, which in turn enhances their tribological properties 18,28 . Vimalanathan et al 29 assessed the mechanical properties of JF and HF reinforced epoxy hybrid composites and from the results, the authors found that the reinforcements caused both positive and negative effects over the mechanical characteristics of the composites.…”

“…HF showcases better load bearing capability when used as reinforcement in polymer matrix composites and it also possess lower coefficient of friction along with higher frictional resistance, which in turn enhances their tribological properties. 18,28 Vimalanathan et al 29 assessed the mechanical properties of JF and HF reinforced epoxy hybrid composites and from the results, the authors found that the reinforcements caused both positive and negative effects over the mechanical characteristics of the composites. It was found from the results that the tensile, flexural, impact characteristics, hardness and specific gravity of JF/HF reinforced hybrid composites were found to be higher than the individual HF and JF polymer composites.…”

“…15,16 It was also stated in some studies that the volume fraction of the natural fiber reinforcements played a significant part in determining the physical as well as mechanical properties of the NFRCs. 17 Arputhabalan et al 18 evaluated the mechanical properties of different plant based NFRCs and it was stated in the results that jute fibers (JF) have good compatibility with the polymer matrix due to which they exhibited maximum composite strength.…”