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Assistant Professor, Automobile Engineering Department, Arasu Engineering College, TamilNadu, India
2
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 1020
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
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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.
Figure 1 - Drying NF
Metal matrix
(volume)%
Polyester resin
(volume)%
100
20
80
30
70
40
60
20
75
30
65
40
55
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4. TESTING PROCEDURE
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.
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Sample No.
Cs Area mm
Peak load KN
Elongation %
UTS N/mm
31.577
0.330
3.50
10
30.199
0.370
4.00
12
31.557
0.335
3.667
11
28.842
0.335
7.00
12
24.624
0.575
6.167
23
30.238
0.360
4.33
12
39.996
0.720
5.833
18
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Sample number
Cs Area (mm)
Peak
(N)
25.775
Load
Flexural strength
(MPa)
Flexural
modulus (GPa)
40
68.573
12.355
20.734
30
51.428
8.471
33.693
50
85.714
14.652
20.713
25
42.857
6.349
21.598
35
59.990
8.510
25.969
25
42.800
4.264
30.440
45
77.140
6.949
Sample number
1
2
3
4
5
6
0.05
0.05
0.10
0.05
0.10
0.05
0.05
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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 2012 - 2015, 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.
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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 2012 - 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 2012 - Till Date, he worked in SRM University, Chennai as
Asst. Professor in Mechanical Engineering.
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