TENSILE AND COMPRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OF BROWN GRASS FLOWER BROOM REINFORCED COMPOSITES
VIVEK GEDAM1, DR.ABHITAB DUBEY2
1Phd Scholar, Mewar University Gangrar, Chittorgarh (Rajasthan),
2Principal, Polytechnic College Jagdalpur,C.G.
Abstract-Natural fiber composites are playing an important role in variety of application because of their recyclability, high specific strength and corrosion resistance. We have preferred here the brown grass flower broom as our major fibre for composite formation, brown grass scientifically known as Thysanolaena maxima, has emerged as one of the most widely cultivated cash crops in Gakidling geog. It is from Phocaea family and commonly known as kucho/amlisho, in southern Bhutanese language. It is cultivated as a mixed crop for its inflorescences or clusters of flowers that are used for making brooms. In our project the composites with various compositions are prepared with resin and brown grass flower broom fiber.
Keywords: Natural Fiber, brown grass flower broom fiber, Bio Degradability 1. INTRODUCTION
A composite material system is composed of two or more physically distinct phases whose combination produces aggregate properties that are different from those of its constituents.
Composites can be very important because of its strong and stiff, yet very light in weight, so ratios of strength to weight and stiffness to weight are several times stronger than steel or aluminum and also possible to achieve combinations of properties not attainable with metals, ceramics, or polymers alone [1]. In the recent years, natural fibers reinforced composites are treated as most promising material in different application due to its attractive properties (Table 1).
Natural fibers are now dominate the automotive, construction and sporting industries by its superior mechanical properties. These natural fibers include flax, hemp, jute, sisal, kenaf, coir and many others [2]. The various advantages of natural fibers are low density, low cost, low energy inputs and comparable mechanical properties
and also better elasticity of polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers, especially when modified with crushed fibers, embroidered and 3-D weaved fibers. Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) is a fiber reinforced polymer made of a plastic matrix reinforced by fine fibers of glass. Fiber glass is a lightweight, strong, and robust material used in different industries due to their excellent properties. Although strength properties are somewhat lower than carbon fiber and it is less stiff, the material is typically far less brittle, and the raw materials are much less expensive. Its bulk strength and weight properties are very favorable when compared to metals, and it can be easily formed using moulding processes. Nowadays, natural fibers such as sisal and jute fiber composite materials are replacing the glass and carbon fibers owing to their easy availability and cost. The use of natural fibers is improved remarkably due to the fact that the field of application is
improved day by day especially in automotive industries. Nowadays, natural fiber composites have gained increasing interest due to their eco- friendly properties. A lot of work has been done by researchers based on these natural fibers. Natural fibers such as jute, sisal, silk and coir are inexpensive, abundant and renewable, lightweight, with low density, high toughness, and biodegradable. Natural fibres such as jute have the potential to be used as a replacement for traditional reinforcement materials in composites for applications which require high strength to weight ratio and further weight reduction.
Table 1: Provides information about natural fibres available in nature in different form
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The raw material selected for the present experimental work is broom grass floweras reinforcedcomponents and (Araldite-AW 106) as resin, (HV 953 IN) as hardener, releasing agent (wax and plastic sheets).The present experimental work consists of two phases namely:
1. Preparation of the natural fibre (brown grass flower)rein forced composite material
3. TESTING OF THE COMPOSITE MATERIAL.
3.1.Preparation of the composite material
In the present work the composites were produced using brown grass flower fibers. The steps involved in thisexperiment are as follows:
Washing and Cleaning of Fibre: Fibre is being obtained from locally available brown grass flower broom, properly washed, cleaned and sundried.
Fibres from local broom washing of fibresun drying of fibre
Figure 1: washing and cleaning of fibre Fabrication of Composite:
The composites were produced with broom grass flower as reinforced components and (Araldite-AW 106) as resin, (HV 953 IN) as hardener. With the Previous literature available it is concluded that the mechanical properties of the composites are mainly influenced by the fiber content in the composites. So the composite is prepared as per the dimensions proposed in the literature in the following manner.
3.2 Preparing the metal moulds for the fabrication of composites:
The test specimens were prepared with different sample composites for compression test and tensiletest. The GI sheet moulds of dimensions are 20x2x1 cm for compression testand 30X3X1.5cm for tensile test specimen.
Figure2:GI moulds for tensile test specimens
Figure3: GI moulds for compression test specimens
3.3 Steps Involved In Preparation of Samples:
The mould selected for the preparation of samples is being cleaned and dried.
Then release wax is being applied and being allowed to dry so that the casting can be removed easily.Formula used for deciding quantities of hardener and resin is: weight of fibre=X% of weight of Resin and hardener collectively.(WF= X% of WR+H)[4]
For tensile test mould size 30x3x1.5 cm& 20x2x1cm is filled with water, the
volume of the water is being calculated, it’s around 135cc3& 40 cc3
Volume of water collected is being weighed it’s around 170gm.&50 gm.
Varying % of fibre 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18%, 20%, 22% is being taken for preparing various samples for tensile&
compression test.
The manufacturer of resin specifies that these two constituents’ hardener HV 953 and araldite AW106 should be taken in ratio of 100:100 by volume.(4) Table 2: showing various parameters calculated for tensile test sample preparation
s.no % of fibre WF(gm) VR+VH(cc)
1 10 17 67.5+67.5
2 12 20.4 67.5+67.5
3 14 24 67.5+67.5
4 16 27.2 67.5+67.5
5 18 30.6 67.5+67.5
6 20 34 67.5+67.5
7 22 37.4 67.5+67.5
Table 3: showing various parameters calculated for compressive test sample preparation
s.no % of fibre WF(gm) VR+VH(cc)
1 10 5 20+20
2 12 6 20+20
3 14 7 20+20
4 16 8 20+20
5 18 9 20+20
6 20 10 20+20
7 22 11 20+20
Table4: Typical Properties of Araldite (AW 106), Hardener (HV 953), Multi- Purpose Epoxy Adhesive [5].
Proper
ties Color/appearanc
e Specific
Gravity Kg/m3
Viscosity
@250C, (N·s)/m2 Resin Creamy,
viscous/liquid 1.17 0.92
Harde ner
Amber Liquid 0.92 35,000
3.4 Hand layup technique for preparation of tensile samples:
Mixture of Araldite (AW 106), Hardener (HV 953) is being prepared in jar and stirred properly with glass rod for few minutes so as to remove dissolved air bubbles and moisture, also to make mixture homogeneous in nature.After wards application of wax is being done on moulds, and with all safety precautions mixture being applied on each single strand of fibre, and then they are laid in mould one by one in 900 orientation, layer by layer the mould is filled, and then covered with a ply cover and considerable weight is being applied on it. It was left over for 24hrs to get dried, and then sample is being finally removed from mould.
3.5Modifications by CIPET, RAIPUR:
CIPET, Raipur has modified the sample size for flexural and hardness test as per ASTM standards as follows:
Table 5: Defined and modified sample size from CIPET, Raipur for testing
S.
No.
Name of the Test
Name of the Standa rd
Sample Size
1. Tensile Strength ASTM
D638 127mmX12.5mmX3 mm
2. Compress ive Strength
ASTM
D695 12.7mmX12.7mmX2 5mm
Modifications are being done in order to perform the test smoothly on the available machines as per ASTM standards; ASTM standards also helps to perform proper flexural and hardness testing on fibre materials,these standards define critical elements, such as the equipment needed to perform the testing, how to prepare test specimens, proper measurement techniques, testing speeds and control parameters,
calculation results, and how to report the results.
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS:
In the present experimental work the composite material is fabricated using hand lay up method. The test specimens are prepared with standards and were tested in govt. approved lab (CIPET,Raipur) to evaluate the mechanical properties like tensile strength, compression strength. A specimen of the prepared composite material is tested with universal testing machine for ultimate compression strength and forUltimate tensile strength.
Table 6: Results from CIPET, RAIPUR (C.G.)
SNO . FIBR
E % TENSILE STRENGTH(MP
A)
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH(MP
A)
1 0 20.44 31.06
2 10 26.12 12.88
3 12 12.68 1.44
4 14 13.63 7.85
5 16 17.43 1.37
6 18 11.06 7.34
7 20 11.21 1.38
8 22 6.04 3.51
NOTE: (a) STANDARDS FOR TENSILE TEST IS ASTMD638;
(b) STANDARDS FOR COMPRESSIVE TEST ARE ASTMD695.
4.1 Tensile Properties:
The tensile strength at break for brown grass flower broom fiber composites with variation of fiber weight fractions were presented in Table6, and graphically were shown in Fig.4
Figure 4: Showing variation of tensile strength with respect to fibre % It can be seen from the graph on Fig. 4 that as the fiber weight fraction increased to 10%, the tensile strength shows remarkable increase. Then as the fiber weight fraction continually increased, the tensile strength of the composites slightly started showing decreasing variations. It is clear that tensile strength of the composites increased with increasing in percentage of fiber weight fractionupto 10%
compared to pure resin sample, and presented the highest average value of 26.12MPa at fiber weight fraction 10%, and the lowest of 6.04MPa at fiber weight fraction 22%.
4.2 Compressive Properties:
This test is conducted to determine the compressive properties of the material particularly composites.The result for various combinations is shown in TABLE 6, and graphically were shown in Fig.5
Figure 5: Showing variation of compressive strength with respect to
fibre %
It can be seen from the graph on Fig. 5 that as the fiber weight fraction increased to 10%, the compressive strength shows remarkable increase.
Then as the fiber weight fraction continually increased, the compressive strength of the composites slightly started showing decreasing variations.
It is clear that compressive strength of the composites increased with increasing in percentage of fiber weight fraction up to 10% compared to pure resin sample, and presented the highest average value of 12.88MPa at fiber weight fraction 10%, and the lower of 1.37MPa at fiber weight fraction 16%.
4. CONCLUSION:
It is observed that the maximum tensile strength of the composite material is obtained at 10% of the fiber content. Its maximum value is 26.12 MPa. The maximum compression strength is at 10% of the fiber content and its
corresponding value is
12.88MPa.Broom grass is a unique gift, an eco-friendly product that brings the rural communities closer to nature
0
10 12 14 16 18 20 22
20.44 26.12
12.68 13.63 17.43
11.06 11.216.04
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
variation of tensile strength wrt fibre%
FIBRE % TENSILE STRENGTH(MPA)
0
10 12 14 16 18 20 22
31.06 12.88
1.44
7.85 1.37
7.34 1.38 3.51
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
variation of compressive strength with respect to fibre
%
FIBRE % COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH(MPA)
cleans the floor with broom grass every morning. Our experimental work is to judge its tensile and compressive properties, so that its industrial use pathway can be traced out.
5. REFERENCES:
[1] Malhotra, N.,Sheikh, K. and Rani, S.
(2012)A Review on Mechanical Characterization of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites.
Journal of Engineering Research and Studies, 3, 75-80.
[2]Samuel, O.D., Agbo, S. and Adekanye, T.A. (2012) Assessing Mechanical Properties of Natural Fibre Reinforced Composites for Engineering Applications. Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, 11, 780-784.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jmmce.201 2.118066
[3] Chandramohan, D. and Marimuthu, K. (2011) A Review on Natural Fibers.
IJRRAS, 8, 194-206.
[4] www.araldite.com; 2009 Huntsman Advanced Materials Americas Inc.
[5] www.araldite.com;2004 Huntsman Advanced Materials Americas Inc.
