Fabrication and Analysis of Composite Material using Natural Fibers

Under the guidance of Dr. R. Suresh Professor(Chemical Engineering) RV College of Engineering

By: Kushagra Panda(1RV08CH041) Souptik Pal(1RV08CH034) Abhishek Rajamohan(1RV08CH002) Shitij Malhotra(1RV08CH042)

Presentation Outline
Introduction Experimental Details Progress and Results Future Work

Introduction
A composite material is any combination of two or more different materials at the macroscopic level. Composite industry is fast growing and consumes over 20% of the total nationwide shipments. Natural fibre based composites have high potential for several applications. Natural fibre reinforced structures are fast replacing the synthetic fibre reinforced composites in domestic applications.

Experimental Details
Gel Time Test:
1. 3 samples of resin (50 ml each) are taken. 2. Sample A 5 ml of catalyst and activator are added to it. Sample B 3 ml of catalyst and activator are added to it. Sample C 2 ml of catalyst and activator are added to it. 3. All the samples are stirred and mixed properly. 4. Result : Sample A cures in around 25 sec. Sample B cures in around 35 sec. Sample C cures in around 40 sec. 5. The conclusion drawn from this experiment is that the amount of catalyst and activator that should be mixed with the resin should be around 10% of the volume of resin used.

Experimental Details
Calculations:
Total volume of specimen = (120 mm * 200 mm * 10 mm) = 0.240 lt Density of Polyester resin = 1.450 g/cc Mass of resin reqd. = 75% of total volume of specimen * density = 0.261 kg Volume of coir fibre = 20% of 0.24 lt = 0.048 lt Average density of coir fiber = 0.14 g/cc Mass required = 6.72 g Volume of glass fibre = 5% of 0.24 lt = 0.012 lt Average density of glass fibre = 2.560 g/cc Mass required = 30.72

Experimental Details
Calculations: Mass fraction of resin =261/(261 + 6.72 + 30.72) = 0.87 Mass fraction of coir fiber = 6.72/ (261 + 6.72 + 30.72) = 0.0225 Mass fraction of glass fiber = 30.72 /(261 + 6.72 + 30.72) = 0.103

Experimental Details
Preparation of Sample: A sample of the actual composite material to be
made is initially prepared with dimensions of 10 cm length and 10 cm width. The procedure is as follows: 1. A plywood board is taken of dimensions 10x10 as the mould. 2. Acrylic sheet is placed on the board. 3. Chop strand mat is then placed on top of the acrylic sheet and wax pol and PVA is applied on it. 4. Nails are inserted at the 4 corners of the board. 5. Single strand glass rovings are wounded around the nails and across the board in order to form a grid like structure. 6. Resin is mixed with shredded pieces of coir fibres along with required amounts of activator and catalyst. 7. The mixture is then added to the mould prepared and left out at room temperature for curing. 8. Finally after curing the sample was ready.

Experimental Details
Preparation of the 1st specimen: After checking the sample to be sure
whether the procedure for preparation is correct or not, the main product is prepared. The procedure is as follows: 1. A cardboard box is taken as the mould of dimensions 20cmx12cm. 2. Acrylic sheet is placed on the mould. 3. Chop strand mat is then placed on top of the acrylic sheet and wax pol and PVA is applied on it. 4. Nails are inserted at the 4 corners of the board. 5. Single strand glass rovings are wounded around the nails and across the board in order to form a grid like structure. 6. Around 261 gm of Resin is mixed with 7 gm of shredded pieces of coir fibres along with required amounts (10% volume of resin) of activator and catalyst. 7. The mixture is then added to the mould prepared and left out at room temperature for curing with another chop strand on top as the top layer. 8. Finally after curing the product is ready.

Preparation of the grid structure

Experimental Details
Preparation of the 2nd specimen: Another product is prepared following the
same procedure that is used earlier but in this case the fibre used is jute mat instead of chop strand mat.

Testing of both the final specimens:

Physical Tests:
Tensile Testing: It helps in determining the tensile properties such as tensile strength, yield point, % elongation, % reduction in area and modulus of elasticity. Bend Moment Testing: It helps in finding % elongation, ductility and surface imperfections. Corrosion Resistance. Temperature Resistance: Heating of specimen under controlled conditions to find out the temperature at which the material breaks down.

Chemical Tests:

Progress and Results

From the Gel Time Test we found out the curing time of the resin to be around 25 sec when activator and catalyst of volume 10% of resin is added to the resin. Using the calculations done we found out the amounts of resin and fibres to be used for preparation of the sample and the specimens. The sample has already been prepared by the procedure given earlier. Here is a picture of the sample :

Progress and Results

The 1st specimen has been prepared by the given procudere. Below is a picture of the specimen:

Future Work
We will prepare the 2nd Specimen using jute mat instead of the chopstrand mat. We will do the testing and analysis of both the specimens and find out their physical and chemical properties.

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