Investigation of Mechanical Behavior of Water Hyacinth Fiber / Polyester with Aluminium Powder Composites

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1 Investigation of Mechanical Behavior of Water Hyacinth Fiber / Polyester with Aluminium Powder Composites R G Padmanabhan 1, N Arun 2, S. Kolli Bala Sivarama Reddy 3 1 Assistant Professor, Automobile Engineering Department, Arasu Engineering College, TamilNadu, India 2 Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, SRM University, TamilNadu, India 3 Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, SRM University, TamilNadu, India ABSTRACT The development of high performance composites from a cheap natural fiber, such as water hyacinth is particularly beneficial from an economic point of view. Remarkable, thermosetting resins such as polyester are used widely as a composite matrix due to polyester resins present a good dimensional stability, and good mechanical properties. For the 7 various weight ratio of composites from water hyacinth fiber, aluminium powder and polyester resin were prepared by using solution impregnation and hot curing methods. From this, sample 3 (30% Water hyacinth natural fiber and 70% polyester resin) and 5 (20% Water hyacinth NF, 5% aluminium powder and 75% polyester resin) are the best compositions. The applications of these materials require a sustainable approach to creating green products. Knowing that natural fibers are cheap and have a better stiffness per weight than glass, which results in lighter components, the grown interest in natural fibers is clear. Keywords: Water hyacinth fiber, polyester resin, natural fibers, solution impregnation hot curing, Aluminium powder. 1. INTRODUCTION A composite is combination of two materials in which one of the materials, called the reinforcing phase, is in the form of fibers, sheets, or particles, and is embedded in the other materials called the matrix phase. The reinforcing material and the matrix material can be metal, ceramic, or polymer. Composites typically have a fiber or particle phase that is stiffer and stronger than the continuous matrix phase and serve as the principal load carrying members. The matrix acts as a load transfer medium between fibers, and in less ideal cases where the loads are complex, the matrix may even have to bear loads transverse to the fiber axis. The matrix is more ductile than the fibers and thus acts as a source of composite toughness. The matrix also serves to protect the fibers from environmental damage before, during and after composite processing. When designed properly, the new combined material exhibits better strength than would each individual material. Composites are used not only for their structural properties, but also for electrical, thermal, tribological and environmental applications. 2. RAW MATERIAL 2.1 Water hyacinth It is a free-floating perennial aquatic plant native to tropical and sub-tropical South America. With broad, thick, glossy, ovate leaves, water hyacinth may rise above the surface of the water as much as 1 meter in height. The leaves are cm across, and float above the water surface. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds each year, and these seeds can remain viable for more than 28 years. Some water hyacinths were found to grow up to 2 to 5 meters a day in some sites in Southeast Asia. The common water hyacinth is vigorous growers known to double their population in two weeks. 2.2 Polyester resin Generally polyester resins can be made by a dibasic organic acid and a dihydric alcohol. They can be classified as saturated polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate, and unsaturated polyester. To form the network of the composite matrix, the unsaturated group or double bond needs to exist in a portion of the dibasic acid. The addition of catalyst will cause the resin to cure. The most frequently used catalyst is methyl ethyl ketone peroxide or benzoyl peroxide and the amount varies from 1-2%. The catalyst will decompose in the presence of the polyester resin to form free radicals, which will attack the unsaturated groups to initiate the polymerization. The processing temperature and the amount of the catalyst can control the rate of polymerization, the higher temperature or the more the catalyst, the faster the reaction. After the resin turned from liquid to brittle solid, post cure at higher temperature may need to be Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016 Page 56

2 done. 2.3 Aluminium Powder Aluminium is remarkable for the metal's low density and for its ability to resist corrosion due to the phenomenon of passivation. Structural components made from aluminium and its alloys are vital to the aerospace industry and are important in other areas of transportation and structural materials. The most useful compounds of aluminium, at least on a weight basis, are the oxides and sulfates. 3. FABRICATION OF COMPOSITE FIBER 3.1 Sample Preparation Technique The water hyacinth plant is taken from the lake. The stem (fiber part) is separated and allowed to dry in the sun light for 3-4 hours as shown in fig - 1. The dried fiber were crushed to powder as shown in fig -2. Then the natural fiber and resin were taken based on the volume percentage. The Fiber and resin were mixed by using glass rod in a bowl based on volume. The accelerator (cobalt naphthalene) and the catalyst (methyl ethyl ketone peroxide) were added to the resin. Figure 1 - Drying NF Figure 2 Powder of Water Hyacinth fiber 3.2 Calculation of sample preparation For the preparation of the composite we calculate the percentage of fibers and polymer required. From the Table 3.1 we come to know about the amounts accurately. Table 1 - Concentration of Sample Preparation Sample No. Water hyacinth fiber (volume)% Metal matrix (volume)% Polyester resin (volume)% Mould Preparation First of all the mould for the composite is prepared. We have to prepare mould of size 600x250x2.5 mm for the preparation of required composite. 3.4 Cutting of Test Specimen To As Per ASTM Standards Water jet cutting machine is used for cutting the composite sheet, for various experiments: refer Fig. 3 for the final composite sheet after water jet cutting. Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016 Page 57

3 i. Tensile test - dog bone shape 166 x 22 x 2.5mm (ASTM D 3039). ii. Flexural test x 14 x 2.5mm (ASTM D 790). iii. Impact test - 67 x 14 x 2.5 mm (ASTM D 256). 4. TESTING PROCEDURE Figure 3 - Composite sheet after water jet cutting 4.1 Tensile Test The tensile strength of a material is the maximum amount of tensile stress that it can take before failure. The commonly used specimen for tensile test is the dog-bone type. During the test a uniaxial load is applied through both the ends of the specimen. When testing a material include ultimate tensile strength or peak stress offset yield strength which represents a point just beyond the onset of permanent deformation and the rupture or fracture point where the specimen separates into pieces. The tensile test is performed in the universal testing machine and results. Ref fig. 5. Figure 5 - Broken Samples after Tensile Test 4.2 Flexural test The flexure test method measures behavior of materials subjected to simple beam loading. Refer Fig.6 for flexural testing machine. Most commonly the specimen lies on a support span and the load is applied to the center by the loading nose producing three point bending at a specified rate. The test was carried out as per the ASTM standard D785 procedure. Refer Fig.7 for broken samples after flexural test. Figure 6 - Flexural Testing Figure 7 - Broken Samples Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016 Page 58

4 4.3 Impact test The impact test is a method for evaluating the toughness and notch sensitivity of engineering materials. It is usually used to test the toughness of metals, but similar tests are used for polymers, ceramics and composites. Izod Impact test specimen is machined to a square or round section, with either one, two or three notches. The specimen is clamped vertically on the anvil with the notch facing the Hammer. Refer Fig. 8 and 9 for impact testing machine and broken samples after impact test. Figure 8 - Impact Testing Figure 9 - Broken Samples 5. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION 5.1 Tensile Test The Tensile test for 7 samples has been conducted and the resulting Graphs for Load Vs Displacement and Stress Vs Strain are shown below. Table 2 - Tensile test results Sample No. Cs Area mm² Peak load KN Elongation % UTS N/mm² Figure 10 - Bar Graph for Tensile Test Sample no 5 - (20% Water hyacinth NF, 5% aluminium powder and 75% polyester resin) attain the max tensile strength (23 N/mm 2 ). Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016 Page 59

5 5.2 Flexural Test Flexural test was also carried out on UTM machine in accordance with ASTM D790 standard. All the specimens were cut into (130x13x2.5)mm. The results are tabulated in the Table 3. Table 3 Flexural test results Sample number Cs Area (mm²) Peak (N) Load Flexural strength (MPa) Flexural modulus (GPa) Figure 11 - Bar Graph for Flexural Test From fig 11 - bar chart, Sample no 3 (30% Water hyacinth natural fiber and 70% polyester resin) attain the maximum flexural strength ( MPa). 5.3 Impact Test Impact test is carried out in IZOD method using impact test machine. Refer Table 4.3 for the impact value in joules. Table 4 - Impact test result Sample number Impact value (joules) Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016 Page 60

6 Figure 12 - Bar Graph for Impact Test Sample no 3 (30% Water hyacinth natural fiber and 70% polyester resin) attain the maximum hardness (0.10 J). References [1.] N. S. M. El-Tayeb, A Study on the Potential of Sugarcane Fibers/polyester Composite for Tribological Applications, Wear 265, (June 25, 2008): [2.] Yan Li, Chunjing Hu and Yehong Yu, Interfacial studies of Sisal Fiber Reinforced High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Composites, (April 2008): [3.] E. F. Cerquiera, C. A. R. P. Baptista, and D. R.Mulinari, Mechanical Behaviour of Polypropylene Reinforced Sugarcane Bagasse Fibers Composites, (2011): [4.] S. N. Monteiro et al., Sugar Cane Bagasse Waste as Reinforcement in Low Cost Composites, (December 1, 1998): [5.] S. V. Joshi, L. T. Drzal, A. K. Mohanty, S. Arora, The Mechanical Properties of Vinyl Ester Resin Matrix Composites Reinforced with Fibers, (2011): [6.] A. N. Shah and S. C. Lakkad, Mechanical Properties of Fiber Reinforced Plastics, (1981), Fiber Science and Technology 15, 41, 46. [7.] R.G. Padmanabhan, G. Umashankar Experimental Study On Mechanical Properties Of Ficus Benghalensis With Gypsum Polymer Hybrid Fiber Composites Global Journal of Engineering Science and Research Management [Padmanabhan., 2(12): December, 2015] ISSN [8.] Ma XF, Yu JG, Kennedy JF. Studies on the properties of natural fiberreinforced thermoplastic starch composites. Carbohydr Polym 2005;62: [9.] Soykeabkaew N, Supaphol P, Rujiravanit R. Preparation and characterization of jute-and flax-reinforced starchbased composite foams Carbohydrate Polymer 2004 ;58 (1) : [10.] Tserki V, Matzinos P, Zafeiropoulos NE, Panayiotou C. Development of biodegradable composites with treated and compatibilized lignocellulosic fibers. J Appl Polym Sci 2006;100(6): [11.] Munder F, Hempel H. Mechanical and thermal properties of bast fibers compared with tropical fibers. Mol Cryst Liq Cryst 2006;448: [12.] John MJ, Anandjiwala RD. Recent developments in chemical modification and characterization of natural fiberreinforced composites. Polym Composite 2008;29(2): [13.] Ahmed KS, Vijayaraangan S, Naidu ACB. Elastic properties, notched strength and fracture criteria in untreated woven jute-glass fabric reinforced polyester hybrid composites. Mater Design 2007 ;28(8): [14.] A. K. Mohanty, M. Misra and L. T. Drzal. Surface modifications of natural fibers and performance of the resulting biocomposites: An overview. Composite Interfaces, Vol. 8, No. 5, pp (2001). [15.] R.G. Padmanabhan, M. Ganapathy Investigation of Mechanical Behavior of Bagasse (Sugarcane) - Aloevera as Hybrid Natural Fibre Composites International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology Volume 3 (2015): p AUTHOR R.G.Padmanabhan received the B.E. Degree - Production Engineering from J.J.C.E.T affiliated to Anna University, Chennai in 2008 and M.E. degrees in Manufacturing Technology from PRIST University, Thanjavur in 2012, respectively. During , he worked in SRM University, Chennai as Asst. Professor in Mechanical Engineering. I am working in the field of Natural fiber composites with various manufacturing techniques. Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016 Page 61

7 N.Arun received the B.E. Degree - Mechanical Engineering from P.G.P College of Engineering and Technology, Namakkal affiliated to Anna University, Chennai and M.E. degrees in CAD / CAM from Central Institute Of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET), Chennai in 2012, respectively. During Till Date, he worked in SRM University, Chennai as Asst. Professor in Mechanical Engineering. S. Kollibala Siva Rama Reddy received the B.E. Degree - Mechanical Engineering from Bharat University, Chennai in 2007 and M.E. degrees in Engineering Design from Anna University, Chennai in 2012, respectively. During Till Date, he worked in SRM University, Chennai as Asst. Professor in Mechanical Engineering. Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016 Page 62