Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 787

Abstract: Polymer electrolytes with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVdF) blend as matrix and lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) as dopant salt were prepared by solvent casting technique. Propylene carbonate was used as plasticizer and tetrahydrofuran (THF) as common solvent. Zinc oxide nano particles were synthesized through novel solid-state milling method and incorporated as filler. The content (wt%) of nano filler in the polymer electrolyte was systematically varied to study its influence on the conductivity of the electrolyte membranes. The films were subjected to complex impedance analysis in the frequency range 50 – 100 KHz. The analysis reveals the strong influence of filler particles on the conductivity profile of the electrolytes.

Abstract: Composite materials like Aluminium metal matrix composite is playing a very important role in manufacturing industries e.g. automobile and aerospace industries, due to their superior properties such as light weight, low density, high specific modulus, high fatigue strength etc., In this study Aluminium(Al 6061) is reinforced with Silicon Carbide particles and fabricated by Stir Casting Technique (vortex method). The MMC rectangular bars (samples) are prepared with Al6061 and SiC (28 µ size) as the reinforced particles by weight fraction from 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of SiC. The microstructure analysis and Mechanical properties like Tensile Strength, Vickers Hardness and Charpy Impact Strength were investigated on prepared specimens. It is observed that the properties are increased with increasing of reinforced specimens by weight fraction.

Abstract: In this present work the banana/polyester was fabricated using hand layup method followed by compression moulding technique. The moulded composite was studied with special references to the Taguchi’s method for optimizing the cutting parameters of AWJM for minimizing the kerf width and kerf taper. An L₉ (3⁴) orthogonal array was selected to conduct the experiment with the identified significant parameters such as Feed rate, Pressure, Standoff distance and Abrasive Method. The significance of cutting parameters was analysed with the help of ANOVA. The optimum process parameters were identified with the help of signal to noise ratio (SN). The decreasing value of hardness was observed after the machining of composite using shore-D hardness tester. The influence of abrasive particle was found to be predominant affecting the performance of the output quality measures.

Abstract: Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic composites are used for pipes, high pressure vessels, aircrafts, automobiles, sport goods and Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic composites are used for pipes, high pressure vessels, aircrafts, automobiles, sport goods and structural applications due to their high corrosion resistance, high specific strength, low density, low coefficient of thermal expansion, durability, low maintenance and low cost. This paper presents the development and mechanical testing of filament wound Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic composite hollow cylindrical components. In this present work, Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic composite hollow cylindrical components were manufactured by helical filament winding process. ASTM: D2584 standard test method for ignition loss of cured reinforced resins was conducted on the specimen to determine the fiber to resin ratio. The tensile test was conducted as per ASTM: D638 standard. The three point flexural test was conducted as per ASTM: D790 standard. The hoop tensile strength test was conducted as per ASTM: D2290 standard. The external loading characteristics were determined by conducting the ASTM: D2412 standard test. The tensile strength and flexural strength in the axial direction are 50.76 MPa and 425.46 MPa respectively. The hoop tensile strength and the parallel-plate loading (Compression) stiffness are 156.33 MPa and 2750 N/mm respectively.

Abstract: In the present study, an aluminum alloy AA6351 was reinforced with different percentages (1, 3 and 5 wt %) of TiB₂ particles and they were successfully fabricated by in situ reaction of halide salts, potassium hexafluoro-titanate and potassium tetrafluoro-borate, with aluminium melt. Tensile strength, yield strength and hardness of the composite were investigated. In situ reaction between the inorganic salts K₂TiF₆ and KBF₄ to molten aluminum leads to the formation of TiB₂ particles. The prepared aluminum matrix composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Scanning electron micrographs revealed a uniform dispersal of TiB₂ particles in the aluminum matrix. The results obtained indicate that the hardness and tensile strength were increased with an increase in weight percentages of TiB₂ contents_.

Abstract: The paper presents the results of investigation on physical, mechanical and wear properties of SiC particulate reinforced aluminium metal matrix composite. The influence of reinforced ratios of 10, 15 and 20 wt. % of SiC_p on mechanical properties and wear characters was examined. The effect of load and sliding velocity on wear behavior of composite was studied. It was observed that increase of weight fraction of reinforcement produced better physical and mechanical properties such as density and hardness with 37 µm SiC reinforced composite inspite of increased density the hardness drops above the critical sintering temperature of 550°C due to crazing of the matrix. With increased size of SiC_p especially with higher temperature, density and hardness doesn’t supplement each other. Possible pooling/agglomeration in the case of medium and coarse sized reinforcement account for this. Wear decreases with increase in sintering temperature for 23 and 37 µm SiC_p reinforced composites where as it increases for 67 µm SiC_p reinforced composites. This could be attributed to formation of silanium compound contributing to discrete hardening of matrix. Wear tends to drop with sliding velocity being less contact between the pin and the disc but increases with normal load acting on the composite.

Abstract: Copper based TiC reinforced in-situ metal matrix composite was synthesized by melting copper, hexaflurotitanate and graphite powder in appropriate proportion at a temperature of 1100 °C using stir casting technique. Both copper matrix and copper-TiC composite were subjected to microstructure studies, x-ray diffraction analysis, hardness and tensile test. Optical micrograph shows fine and uniform distribution of TiC particles throughout the matrix. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the formation of Titanium carbide particles. Developed composite exhibit a significant improvement in hardness and ultimate tensile strength compared with unreinforced copper.

Abstract: Commercially available Al6061 alloy added with 5wt% of alumina particles was developed by liquid metallurgy route. Cast aluminum alloy and composite were hot forged. Microstructure, hardness and strength behavior of forged alloy and composite were investigated. Optical micrograph examination confirms the homogeneity in the dispersion of alumina particles. Addition of alumina particles increased the hardness and tensile strength by 21% and 18% respectively.

Abstract: Automobile industries have shown more interest for the replacement of conventional steel leaf spring with that of the composite leaf spring due to its high strength to weight ratio. The objective of the work is to carry out computer aided design and analysis of composite (Glass fiber reinforced plastic) leaf spring and conventional steel leaf spring by considering certain parameters like stress, deflection and strain energy with similar design considerations and loading conditions. The material of the conventional leaf spring is 65Si7 and composite leaf spring is S2-Glass\Epoxy. The CAD model of the leaf spring is modeled in Pro-E and the numerical analysis is carried out using finite element analysis, ANSYS 14. Stress, deflection and strain energy results of both steel and composite leaf spring are obtained and compared. The result shows that the composite leaf spring has maximum strain energy than conventional steel leaf spring and weight of the composite leaf spring is nearly reduced up to 85% compared with steel material.

Abstract: Rice husk particles are one of the important agriculture waste products and wood dust particles are left to degrade of its own in many wood cutting industries. In the present work, polyester resin based composite laminates are manufactured by filling the mixed solution consisting of polyester resin with rice husk and wood dust fillers into a mould. The tensile test was conducted in a Universal testing machine as per ASTM: D638 standard. The flexural test was conducted in a Universal testing machine as per ASTM: D790 standard. The hardness test was conducted in a Shore hardness tester as per ASTM D2240 standard.