Papers by Keyword: Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites

Abstract: This paper deals with tensile properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. Natural fibers have recently found increasing use in various fields as an alternative to synthetic fiber reinforced polymers. Due to this they have become attractive to engineers, researchers and scientists. Natural fibers are replacing conventional fibers such as glass, aramid and carbon due to their eco-friendly nature, lesser cost, good mechanical properties, better specific strength, bio-degradability and non-abrasive characteristics. The adhesion between the fibers and the matrix highly influence the tensile properties of both thermoset and thermoplastic natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. In order to enhance the tensile properties by improving the strength of fiber and matrix bond many chemical modifications are normally employed. In most cases the tensile strengths of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites are found to increase with higher fiber content, up to a maximum level and then drop, whereas the Young’s modulus continuously increases with increasing fiber loading. It has been experimentally found that tensile strength and Young’s modulus of reinforced composites increased with increase in fiber content [1].

Abstract: This research is concerned with a study of failure strength of natural fiber composite. Tensile-shear tests were carried out with the single-lap resistance welded joined specimens consisting of composite materials. Composite materials were manufactured using the polyester as a matrix and bamboo natural fiber layer as a reinforcement. Two types of specimen with different reinforcement positions were tested to evaluate the failure strength of natural fiber reinforced composite resistance welded joined specimens. The test results were presented by tensile-shear strength. The failure mechanism was discussed in order to explain the lower tensile-shear strength of composite and position of bamboo natural fiber layer on the failure strength properties were explained

Abstract: This research was concerned with study of fracture strength of adhesive-lap-joined composites. The tensile and peel tests were carried out with specimens manufactured hybrid stacked composites, because the orientation of fiber and the interfacial fracture between the matrix and the reinforcement had influence on failure strength of composites. Bamboo natural fiber layer was located between polyester layers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fiber orientation on failure strength properties of composites. The test results were presented by load-displacement graph and finite element analysis. As a result, the load-directional orientation and the thinner thickness of bamboo natural fiber layer have a good effect on peel and tensile-shear strength and failure shape of adhesive-joined hybrid stacked composite.

Abstract: This research was concerned with study of failure strength of natural fiber reinforced composites. Tensile-shear tests were carried out with single-lap-adhesive-joined specimens consisting of polyester lap and composite lap. Composites were manufactured using the polyester as matrix and bamboo natural fiber layer as reinforcement. Two types of specimens with different reinforcement positions were tested to evaluate the failure strength of adhesive-single-lap-joined natural fiber reinforced composites. The test results were presented by tensile-shear strength graph comparing with finite element analysis. The failure mechanism was discussed in order to explain the lower tensile-shear strength of composite, and effect of position of bamboo natural fiber layer on the failure strength properties were explained.

Abstract: Using natural fibers that are inexpensive, lightweight and biodegradable, as the reinforcement for composites is difficult due to their poor interfacial properties between hydrophilic fiber and hydrophobic polymer matrices. It is necessary to evaluate fracture toughness of natural fiber reinforced composites according to water absorption rates to improve mechanical performance of those. In this study, compact tension fracture test was conducted to evaluate fracture toughness with the various specimens. The value of fracture toughness has the tendency to decrease as water absorption rate increases. And different surface treatment methods and different polymer matrices have influence on the value of fracture toughness.