International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET) Volume 9, Issue 12, December 2018, pp. 1034–1042, Article ID: IJMET_09_12_103 Available online at http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET?Volume=9&Issue=12 ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359 © IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF GFRP REINFORCED WITH COIR AND FLAX V.Pandyaraj, L.Ravi Kumar Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sairam Engineering college chennai-44, India D. Chandramohan Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, St.Peter's Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India ABSTRACT In the present scenario, the need for the natural fibre increases because of their easy availability, low cost and eco-friendly behavior. Synthetic fibers such as glass and carbon have more strength but the usage of these fibers had been restricted because of the high cost involved in the specimen preparation. In this paper glass fibre was used as matrix and the natural fibers (coir and flax) were used as reinforcement in two different models (one with glass and coir and the another with glass and flax) by using the binding agent epoxy resin. Specimens were fabricated according to the ASTM standards (ASTM D638-03, ASTM D790, ASTM D256 ) and the mechanical properties such as tensile, impact and flexural were carried out. From the results it is found that the GFRP reinforced with flax had higher tensile strength of 6.54 KN compared to coir. It also has higher impact strength of 8.4KN compared to coir which has 7.5 KN. GFRP reinforced with the Flax had a flexural strength of 0.85 KN compared to coir which has 1.15 KN. Keywords: GFRP, Flax, Coir, Epoxy resin, woven. Cite this Article: V.Pandyaraj, L.Ravi Kumar and D. Chandramohan, Experimental Investigation of Mechanical Properties of GFRP Reinforced with Coir and Flax, International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 9(12), 2018, pp. 1034–1042. http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET?Volume=9&Issue=12 http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJMET 1034 [email protected] V.Pandyaraj, L.Ravi Kumar and D. Chandramohan 1. INTRODUCTION Composites consist of two (or more) distinct constituents or phases, which when married together result in a material with entirely different properties from those of the individual components. Typically, a manmade composite would consist of a reinforcement phase of stiff, strong material, frequently fibrous in nature, embedded in a continuous matrix phase. The latter is often weaker and more compliant than the former. Two of the main functions of the matrix are to transmit externally applied loads, via shear stresses at the interface, to the reinforcement and to protect the latter from environmental and mechanical damage. The advantage of such a coupling is that the high strength and stiffness of the fibers (which in most practical situations would be unable to transmit loads) may be exploited. Imre B, Pukánszky in the year 2013[1] said in recent attempts to create more eco- conscious materials, bio-resins have emerged as the new, successful alternative to traditional polyurethane based materials. Although there are no set standards for what it means for a product to be “green” there exist certain agreed upon desirable results such as safer disposal after expiration of satisfactory usage period, energy-efficient manufacturing of the material, and decreased toxic emissions during its period of service are just a few of the categories that manufacturers now target when thinking about green products. Christopher C. Ihueze in 2013[2] said Natural fibers are obtained from various biological resources. Natural fibers are mainly made up of lignocelluloses, cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectin, lignin, and water . The application of natural fibers to designing a component is limited by the hydrophilic nature of the cellulose in these natural fibers. Matthews FL and Rawlings RD in 1994[3] stated that studies have indicated that a manmade composite possibly consists of a reinforcement phase of stiff and strong material, which is usually fibrous in nature, embedded in a continuous matrix phase. The matrix phase is often weaker and more compliant than the reinforcement phase. Out of many two of the main functions of the matrix are to transmit externally applied loads, via shear stresses at the interface, to the reinforcement and to protect the reinforcement or filler particles from mechanical damage as well as from the effect of environmental factors such as moisture, temperature, etc. P.-O. Hagstrand, K. Oksmanp[4] in 2004 said the mechanical performance of natural fiber reinforced polymers is often limited owing to a weak fiber-matrix interface. In contrast, melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resins are well known to have a strong adhesion to most cellulose containing materials. In this Paper, nonwoven flax fiber mat reinforced and particulate filled MF composites processed by compression molding are studied and compared to a similar MF composite reinforced with glass fibers. Using flax instead of glass fibers has a somewhat negative effect on tensile performance. Farshid Basiji et all in 2001-2003 [5-7] suggested that we have learned that high specific properties, low density, light in weight and renewable in source are the highlighting advantages of having natural fibers as reinforcement in bio-resin or synthetic resin matrix. Natural fiber reinforcement in traditional thermoplastic 24 polymers finds its application in automobile industries. Influence of surface treatment on natural fibers improves the interfacial bond between fiber and resin thereby increasing the mechanical properties. For traditional fiber reinforced composites, even though it has advantages, one of its main disadvantages is its disposal that causes environmental problems in disposal by incineration. High level of moisture absorption, poor wettability, inadequate adhesion and debonding are the main disadvantages of natural fiber reinforced composites. But studies have indicated that treatment of fibers reduces its disadvantages .Edgars Spārniņš,Jānis Modniks[8] in 2005 said with the commercial production of unidirectionally (UD) reinforced flax fiber prepregs, an opportunity to design composite lay-ups tailored for specific applications has arisen. For that, mechanical http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJMET 1035 [email protected] Experimental Investigation of Mechanical Properties of GFRP Reinforced with Coir and Flax characteristics of a UD composite need to be known. With this aim, plain and notched UD flax/epoxy composites have been tested in on- and off-axis tension. Stiffness, strength and intralaminar toughness characteristics of the composite have been estimate during the test results. Ray D, Sarkar B K, Rana A K in 2009[9] said t he literature survey section clearly indicates that composite materials are gaining importance as substitutes for traditional materials in various fields. The industries especially automotive and aircraft industries are doing extensive 39 research on composite materials for structural applications because of their lightweight requirements. 2. FABRICATION OF THE SPECIMENS AND TEST The composite materials used for the present investigation is fabricated by hand layup process. GFRP + Coir and GFRP+ Flax of 300 mm length were used to prepare the specimen. The size of the fabricated laminate is restricted to 300×300×5 mm. Figure 1 shows the specimen of Flax and GFRP as well as coir and GFRP. Figure 2 shows the specimen of coir reinforced with GFRP that had been cut according to the ASTM standards . (a) (b) Fig.1- Specimen (a) Flax + GFRP (b) Coir + GFRP Fig 2 - Specimen of coir reinforced with GFRP that had been cut according to the ASTM standards . 2.1. Tensile test The tensile test specimens are prepared as per the dimensions. It is prepared as per the ASTM- D638 standards and procedures. There are three specimen are used from each laminates for testing tensile behavior of composite laminates. The tensile test is performed on the Universal Testing Machine (UTM) by means of applying load on the specimen until its get failure and the results are observed. The fabricated laminate was divided into three specimens which http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJMET 1036 [email protected] V.Pandyaraj, L.Ravi Kumar and D. Chandramohan were subjected to the tensile test conducted as per the ASTM-D638. The trials yielded three different but close values of tensile strength after the test. However the average of these three trials was considered for further analysis and comparison purpose. Table 1 shows the tabulated value of the tensile test. Fig 3 indicates the loading of the specimen in UTM for Flexural test as well as the Tensile test. Table 1 Tensile test results for coir and flax Specimen Sample- Sample-2 Sample-3 Tensile Strength-Ultimate Load Gfrp With Coir (kN)4.3 (kN)5.66 (kN5.65) Mean5.2 (kN) Gfrp With Flax 5.92 7.25 6.45 6.54 Fig 3- Loading in Universal Tensile Machine for (a) flexural Test (b)Tensile Test 2.2. Flexural strength The flexural specimens are prepared as per the ASTM D 790 standards. The three test specimens of each laminates of banana, carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites are prepared and tested by applying the three point flexural load with the help of same UTM. The 3-point flexural test is the most common flexural test and used in this experiment for checking the bending strength of the composite materials. The testing process involves placing the test specimen in the UTM and applying force to it until it fractures and breaks. The result of flexural strength of each specimen is observed and the results are compared. The trials yielded three different but close values of tensile strength after the test. However the average of these three trials was considered for further analysis and comparison purpose. The experimental values are presented in Table 2 Table 2- Flexural test for coir and flax fiber Ultimate Load (Or) Sample-1 Sample-2 Sample-3 Specimen Breaking Load(KN) mean (KN) (KN) (KN) GFRP With Coir 1.130 1.10 1.240 1.15 GFRP With Flax .865 .820 .865 .85 2.3.