DOI:10.23883/IJRTER.2018.4141.EN5OE 359
ANALYSIS OF HYBRID FIBER COMPOSITES USING JUTE AND
GLASS FIBERS
Sujeeth Mohandas1, Prasanth Ganesan2, Vinith Kumar Agoram3 1,2,3Department of mechanical engineering,Prince Shri Venkateshwara Padmavathy Engineering College
Abstract- Fiber reinforced composites are currently being replaced in many areas such as
automotives, construction areas etc. because of their strength, light weight and their availability. In
this project we are going to analyze the mechanical properties of the hybrid FRP composites. The
mechanical properties such as tensile strength, compressive strength, shear strength, flexural strength
and impact strength of the jute and glass fiber reinforced polymer composites are to be determined.
The main motive of our project is to fabricate a composite which should be considered as the suitable
replacement in the automobile industries since we are intended in fabricating a material with higher
mechanical properties at a comparatively reduced cost.
Keywords-Hybrid fiber composite, Tensile properties, Compressive properties, Shear properties,
Impact properties, Flexural properties, Water absorption, Flammability, SEM analysis.
I. INTRODUCTION
Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) composite is a composite material made of a polymer matrix
reinforced with fibers. The fibers can be natural or synthetic or can be a combination of both (hybrid)
and the polymers used are usually epoxy, vinyl esters, polyesters, polyurethane, polypropylene, etc.
These composites are generally classified into
Natural fiber based polymer composites.
Synthetic fiber based polymer composites.
Hybrid fiber reinforced polymer composites.
1.1. Natural fiber based polymer composites
Lingo cellulose natural fibers are excellent raw materials for production of wide range of
composites for different applications. The interest in using natural fiber such as different
plant fiber as reinforcement in polymers increased during last few years. The interest in
natural fiber reinforced polymer composite materials is rapidly growing both in terms of
industrial applications and fundamental research. They are renewable, cheap, completely or
partially recyclable and biodegradable. These fibers are incorporated into a matrix material such
as thermosetting plastics, thermoplastics or biopolymers.
1.2. Synthetic fiber based polymer composites
Synthetic fibers are fibers made by humans with chemical synthesis, as opposed to natural fibers that
humans get from living organisms with little or no chemical changes. In general, synthetic fibers are
created by extruding fiber-forming materials through spinnerets into air and water, forming a thread.
These fibers are called synthetic or artificial fibers. Some fibers are manufactured from plant-derived
cellulose and are thus semi synthetic, whereas others are totally synthetic, being made from crudes
and intermediates including petroleum, coal, limestone, air, and water. In the textile industries,
cellulose fibers are usually differentiated from synthetic fibers in the sense of fully synthetic ones.
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Synthetic fibers are more durable than most natural fibers and will readily pick-up different dyes. In
addition, many synthetic fibers offer consumer-friendly functions such as stretching, waterproofing
and stain resistance. Compared to natural fibers, many synthetic fibers are more water resistant and
stain resistant. As an added advantage, synthetic fibers do not break down easily when exposed to
sunlight, water or oil.
1.3. Hybrid fiber reinforced polymer composites
Natural fiber composites are often poorer in properties, mostly mechanical, compared to synthetic
fiber composites. A possible solution to this issue is the use of natural fiber/synthetic fiber
combination in polymer hybrid composites. Although the bio-degradability of the composites is
compromised by synthetic fibers, this is compensated by the improvement in their mechanical and
physical properties. Hybrid composites use more than one kind of fibers in the same matrix and the
idea is to get the synergistic effect of the properties of both fibers on the overall properties of
composites.
II. SELECTION OF FIBERS
The points to be noted in selecting the reinforcements include compatibility with matrix material,
thermal stability, density, melting temperature, etc. The compatibility, density, chemical and thermal
stability of the reinforcement with matrix material is important for material fabrication as well as end
application. Also, the role of the reinforcements depends upon its type in structural composites. The
various factors to be considered in fiber selection are studied through literature survey[1].
In dealing with natural fiber composites, we are more concerned with material selection criteria such
as strength, stiffness, low cost, lightweight, availability, renewability, recyclability, biodegradability,
and environmental friendliness. Most of these criteria are unique to natural fiber composites and
therefore many industries are very serious about adopting these materials for their products. Due to
the rapid growth of the accessible set of materials, sophisticated relationships among various
evaluative criteria, in addition to selection parameters of materials appear. This has made the synergy
between materials characteristics and their desired performance in selecting the most appropriate
materials for a particular application a challenging task.
Figure 1. Specific strength comparison of natural fibers
The above figure shows that the specific strength of flax is greater when compared to that of other
natural fibers but, the disadvantage of flax is that it offers bad adhesion and more prone to humidity
retention which makes the constraint of using it in external environment. Upon considering the
Hemp and Jute fiber, the production of hemp is limited due to presence of cannabis content in it and
the production of jute is in large scale. Also the effect of humidity on jute fiber is less when
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compared with other fibers. Bidirectional jute fibers are chosen after comparison of performance of
unidirectional and bidirectional jute fibers [2].
Although jute posses several advantages there are some disadvantages such as low creep resistance,
poor drape property, etc. In order to overcome these disadvantages, synthetic fiber can be blended
with jute fiber.
There are several synthetic fibers available such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid etc. Among these
fibers glass fibers are extensively used because of its sufficient mechanical properties and low cost.
Hence E-glass fiber is chosen for blending with jute fiber since E-glass possesses better strength,
chemical properties and better insulation properties.
III. SELECTION OF RESIN
Resins are of utmost importance within the composites markets as they bind the fibers together and
help create the material’s strength and stiffness characteristics. There are two types of resin systems:
thermoset and thermoplastic. In a thermoset, the resin molecules are locked together in a irreversible
way after a thermal cure; it is a one-way cure that cannot be undone. In a thermoplastic resin the
chemical link which is bonding the molecules together can be broken again and again by increasing
the temperature steadily which causes the matrix to go from solid to liquid. In the same way, when
cooled down the thermoplastic matrix solidifies. Some of the Thermoset resins that are playing a
key role in the composite industry are Polyester, Vinyl Ester, Epoxy, Phenolic Resins and Cyanate
Ester and Bismaleide.
Based on the fact that vinyl ester and its properties are in-between polyester and epoxy, the
disadvantages are benefits compared to polyester but drawback compared to epoxy. The most
striking disadvantage of polyester resin are the mechanical properties which are not as good as, for
example, epoxies. Furthermore, polyester resin has high styrene emission in open mould which is
perceived as a disadvantage and that requires special precautions when processing. Phenolic Resin
also has disadvantages which are mainly characterized by reasonable to low mechanical properties.
The reaction of the phenol and aldehyde creates the danger of free formaldehyde. Hence epoxy resin
was found to be suitable.
Epoxy resins are low molecular weight pre-polymers or higher molecular weight polymers which
normally contain at least two epoxide groups. The epoxide group is also sometimes referred to as a
glycidyl or oxirane group. A wide range of epoxy resins are produced industrially. The raw materials
for epoxy resin production are today largely petroleum derived, although some plant derived sources
are now becoming commercially available. The mechanical properties and its resistance or
environmental degradation which makes the resin system especially attractive to the aircraft industry.
Furthermore, epoxy is water resistance and therefore used heavily within the marine industry. The
adhesive properties and the low shrinkage are further benefits of epoxies. Finally, epoxies cure easily
and quickly making them beneficial for numerous projects.
Also hardeners play an important role in curing of resin for better binding of resin and fibers. The
hardeners used aliphatic amine hardeners as referred [3]. Therefore mPDA (meta-phenylenediamine)
is used as catalyst.
IV. FABRICATION PROCESS
The specimens were fabricated by using hand lay-up process and the procedure was as follows:
Initially the jute fiber and the glass fibers were cut for the required dimensions and then soaked in
5% NaOH solution for about 1 hour. Then they are removed and washed with distilled water to
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remove NaOH content in the fiber and then dried for 24 hours. Again the fibers are cut for required
dimensions to remove extra fiber. Then a polythene A3 sheet is placed on a plane surface, over
which the layers of the fibers has to be placed. Epoxy Resin was then mixed with the mPDA(m-
Phenylenediamine) catalyst in the proportionate ratio and stirred well and then applied over the
surface of the polythene A3 sheet. Then the first layer of jute is placed over the layer of resin and
again a layer of resin is applied over the jute fiber over which the roller is rolled in order to remove
air if any trapped between those layers. Next a layer of glass fiber is placed above the jute layer and
resin is applied, followed by roller again to remove air trapped in between the layers if any. The
above steps from 2 to 5 are repeated for the alternate layers of the jute and glass fibers until the
required thickness of the specimen is obtained. Then the specimen is placed between the two plates
and screwed in order to apply load and then left for 24 hours. The above steps are repeated for
preparing the other to specimens of jute and glass fiber.
Figure 2. Specimen A Figure 3. Specimen B
Figure 4. Specimen C
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The composition of three specimens is as follows:
Table 1. Composition of specimens
Volume fraction(%)
Resin Jute fiber Glass fiber
Specimen A 35 48.5 16.5
Specimen B 40 44.5 15.5
Specimen C 45 40.5 14.5
V. TESTS AND RESULTS
The following lists of tests were conducted on the specimens:
1) Tensile Test
2) Compression Test
3) Flexural Test
4) Impact Test
5) Shear Test
6) Water absorption test
7) Flammability test
8) SEM Analysis
Figure 5. specimens prepared for tests
5.1. Tensile Test
Tensile test was conducted on the specimens according to the ASTM standard D638. The test
procedure was carried out as per the standard [6].The test was carried out in a Universal Testing
Machine of 40 Ton capacity. The observations made from the tensile test for each specimen are as
follows:
Table 2. Tensile test results
Specimen A Specimen B Specimen C
Maximum tensile
load(KN)
4.10
5.29
4.05
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The above tensile test results shows that the tensile load for specimen B is greater when compared
with the other two specimens.
Figure 6. specimens after tensile test
5.2. Compression Test
Compressive test was conducted on the specimens according to the ASTM standard D695. The
specimen was prepared according to the dimensions of the ASTM standard D695 and then the test
was carried out[7] . The observations obtained from compressive test for each specimen are as
follows:
Table 3. Compressive Test Results
SPECIMEN A SPECIMEN B SPECIMEN C
MAXIMUM
COMPRESSIVE
LOAD(KN)
21.69
22.64
23.14
The above compressive test results shows that the compressive load for C is greater when compared
with the other two specimens.
Figure 7. specimens after compression test
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5.3. Flexural Test
Flexural test was conducted on the specimens according to the ASTM standard D790. The specimen
was prepared for the flexural test accordingly as per the ASTM standard D790and flexural test was
carried out [8]. The observations obtained from flexural test for each specimen are as follows:
Table 4. Flexural Test Results
SPECIMEN A SPECIMEN B SPECIMEN C
MAXIMUM
FLEXURAL
LOAD(KN)
0.7
0.8
0.77
The above flexural test results shows that the flexural load for specimen B is greater when compared
with the other two specimens.
Figure 8. Specimens after flexural test
5.4. Impact Test
Impact test was conducted on the specimens according to the ASTM standard D256. The specimen
was prepared accordingly for the impact test as per the ASTM standard D256 and impact test was
carried out[9]. The observations obtained from flexural test for each specimen are as follows:
Table 5. Impact test results
SPECIMEN A SPECIMEN B SPECIMEN C
IMPACT
STRENGTH(J)
22
70
8
The above shear test results shows that the shear load for specimen B is greater when compared with
the other two specimens.
Figure 9.specimens after impact test
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5.5. Shear test
Shear test was conducted on the specimens according to the ASTM standard D2344. The specimen
was prepared accordingly for the shear test as per ASTM standard D2344 and the shear test was
conducted[10]. The observations obtained from flexural test for each specimen are as follows:
Table 6. Shear Test Results
SPECIMEN A SPECIMEN B SPECIMEN C
MAXIMUM
SHEAR LOAD(KN)
5.13
5.83
5.19
The above shear test results shows that the shear load for specimen B is greater when compared with
the other two specimens.
Figure 10. Specimens after shear test
From the above tests it was found that the specimen B is having better properties when compared
with the Specimen A and specimen C. Hence the following tests were being carried out for the
specimen B and the results were discussed.
5.6. Water absorption test
Water absorption test was carried out according to the ASTM standard D570. The specimen was
prepared as per the ASTM standard D570[11] and water absorption test was carried out. The
observations made from the water absorption test are as follows:
Table 7.Water absorption test results
WATER ABSORPTION (%) 0.83
5.7. Flammability test
Flammability test was carried out according to the ASTM standard E162. The specimens were
prepared as per the ASTM standard E162 [12] and flammability test was carried out. The observation
made from flammability test is as follows:
Table 8. Flammability test results
FLAMMABILITY(mm/min) 3
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The test reports of the above tests are as follows;
Figure 11. Test Report of tensile, compressive, flexural, shear and impact tests
Figure 12. Test report of water absorption and flammability test
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5.8. SEM analysis
SEM analysis is used to find out the fiber dispersion, fiber orientation and air voids formed inside the
specimen. The specimens were prepared as per requirement for the SEM analysis and the SEM
analysis was carried out.
Figure 13. SEM analysis showing dispersion of glass fiber and epoxy resin orientation
Figure 14. SEM analysis showing dispersion of fibers and resin
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Figure 15. SEM analysis showing loose dispersion of resin round glass and jute fibers
Figure 16. SEM analysis showing dispersion of resin around glass fiber
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Figure 16. SEM image showing binding between the resin and fibers
Figure 17. SEM image showing binding between resin and fibers
The above images obtained from the SEM analysis shows the binding between the fibers and resins
and also the dispersion of the resin around the fibers and also it shows the presence of air voids or
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pores in between the resin and fibers at various magnification depths. From these images it can be
inferred that there is some air voids present inside and also loose dispersion of resin around fibers,
which can act as a source for the propagation of cracks inside the specimen. Hence further
improvement in properties can be attained by improving the dispersion of fibers and reducing air
voids inside the specimen.
VI. CALCULATIONS
6.1. CALCULATION OF COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
The compressive strength of the specimens were calculated from the above test results are calculated
using the following formula:
Compressive Strength= Compressive load
Area
The results calculated from the above formula are as follows:
Table 5.2: Compressive strength of specimens
Specimen
A B C
Compressive
Strength( N/mm²)
86.55
90.14
83.71
6.2. CALCULATION OF FLEXURAL STRENGTH
The flexural strength of the specimen were calculated using the following formula and the results
obtained are as follows:
Flexural strength, 2
3FLσ=
2bd
Table 9. Flexural Strength of specimens
Specimen
A B C
FLEXURAL
STRENGTH(N/mm²)
96.7
136.43
86.18
6.3. CALCULATION OF SHEAR STRENGTH
The shear strength of the specimen were calculated using the following formula and the results
obtained are as follows:
Shear strength 3F
τ=2bd
Table 10. Shear strength of specimens
SPECIMEN
A B C
SHEAR
STRENGTH(N/mm²)
45.71
57.85
39.47
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Table 11. Overall properties of the specimens
ULTIMATE TENSILE
STRENGTH(MPa)
COMPRESSIVE
STRENGTH
(Mpa)
IMPACT
STREGTH
(J)
SHEAR
STRENGTH
(Mpa)
FLEXURAL
STRENGTH
(Mpa)
A 48.61 86.55 22 45.71 96.70
B 66.72 90.14 70 57.85 136.43
C 45.65 83.71 8 39.47 86.18
Figure 18. Overall properties of the specimens
VII. CONCLUSION
The various mechanical properties such as tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength,
shear strength and impact strength of the hybrid fiber composite of jute and glass fiber was
determined. The properties such as water absorption and flammability of the specimen that is
superior in its mechanical properties were determined and the characterization of the specimen were
done by using SEM analysis for determining the fiber dispersion, fiber orientation, binding of resin
with fibers and the presence of air gaps if any inside the specimen. From the results obtained it is
found that this material can be used as a substitute for material used for automotive parts such as car
dashboard,etc.
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International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering & Research (IJRTER) Volume 04, Issue 03; March- 2018 [ISSN: 2455-1457]
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