DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL

ENGINEERING

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY WARANGAL

A REPORT ON

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF MECHANICAL

PROPERTIES OF GLASS/JUTE FIBER HYBRID
COMPOSITE WITH POLYESTER POLYMER

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

DR. G. RAGHAVENDRA B.HEMANTH
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR 21MEM4R08
MECH DEPT, NITW MACHINE DESIGN
 ABSTRACT

In this work, fiber-reinforced composites were prepared with glass and

jute fibers of a total of four layers (GJJG). The resin used in this study is

polyester. The composites were synthesized at. The filler material used

is Graphite powder of 2%, 4%, and 6%. Fabrication of all the

composites is done using the Hand layup process. Tensile, flexural, and

air-jet erosion tests are conducted on the specimens. The tensile strength,

flexural strength and wear strength of Glass/jute fiber composites are

studied.
 INTRODUCTION

Nowadays a big portion of material science has been conquered by

composite materials. Composites are one of the most widely used

materials because of their adaptability to different situations and the

relative ease of combination with other materials. They can serve

specific purposes and exhibit desirable properties. This is a very

important issue in many engineering works. Recently there has been a

greater inclination toward natural fiber-reinforced plastic composites

because these are environmentally friendly and cost-effective to

synthetic fiber-reinforced composites. Additionally, Natural fibers have

a lot of advantages over traditional fibers in terms of low cost, low

density, biodegradability, and being easily processed [1-5]. The

conventional material such as glass, carbon, and boron fibers are quite

expensive and the use of fiber-like carbon or boron is justified only in

aerospace applications [5]. Therefore it is meaningful to explore the

possibility of using cheaper materials such as natural fiber as

reinforcement. Various aspects of hybrid fiber-based polymer

composites have been studied by various investigators

LITERATURE REVIEW

Rafiquzzaman et.al [1] investigated the mechanical performance of jute-glass fiber

based polymer composite. Results indicated that jute fiber can be a very potential

candidate in making of composites, especially for partial replacement of high-cost

glass fibers for low load bearing applications. Jawaid et al [2] studied the

mechanical behavior of hybrid composites based on jute and oil palm fiber. It has

been found that the use of hybrid system was effective in increasing the tensile and

dynamic mechanical properties of the oil palm-epoxy composite because of

enhanced fiber/matrix interface bonding. Verma et al [3] examined the mechanical

properties of glass/jute hybrid composites. The jute fabrics were modified by

treatment with different chemicals. It has been observed that titanate treatment of

jute fabric results in enhanced performance characteristics and mechanical

properties of hybrid composites. Ashmed et al [4] investigated the elastic

properties and notch sensitivity of untreated woven jute and jute-glass fabric

reinforced polyester hybrid composites, analytically and experimentally. The jute

composites exhibited higher notch sensitivity than jute–glass hybrid composites.

 MATERIAL AND METHODS

Materials collection:

In this study, jute and glass fiber were used as reinforcement and the

polyester resin was used as the matrix shown in Fig. 1. Graphite powder

was used was used as the Hardener. A resin and hardener mixture of 3:1

was used to obtain optimum matrix composition. Mechanical properties

of jute fiber, glass fiber and epoxy resin are shown in Table -1

Fig. 1 (a) Glass fiber Fig 1 (b) Jute fiber Fig1(c) Polyester Resin
 Table -1 Mechanical Properties of Fiber and Matrix

Properties Jute fiber Glass Fiber Polyester resin

Density 1.3 2.54 1.35

Young’s modulus 26.5 75 1

Poisson’s Ratio - 0.2 0.33

Fabrication Procedure:
The fabrication of composite material was carried out by conventional

hand layup technique. Jute fiber and glass fibers were used as

reinforcement and polyester resin was taken as matrix material. The

polyester resin and hardener were mixed in a ratio of 3:1 by weight

percentage. First, a PHP sheet was placed on the mold surface. Then a

layer of the glass fiber was laid down, followed by a quantity of liquid

resin epoxy poured onto it. Brushes and hand rollers were used to

remove any void in the fiber structure and to spread the resin evenly

throughout the fibers. The process was repeated until the required
number of layers was built up in the following order (GJJG). Finally,

these specimens are kept for several hours to get the perfect samples.

After the composite material get hardened completely, the composite

material is taken out, rough edges are neatly cut and removed as per the

required dimensions. The composite laminate samples were cured by

exposure to normal atmospheric conditions.

Experimental procedure:

The tensile test of the specimen was performed using an electro-

mechanical testing machine equipped with the maximum capacity of the

load cell at 30KN as shown in figure 2(a). The strength was calculated

from the maximum load at failure of the tensile stress. Flexural testing

commonly known as three-point bending testing was also carried out as

per ASTMD790 the sample specimen was placed in the UTM (Universal

testing machine). Composite specimens of dimensions 140 X 15 X 4

mm were horizontally placed on two supports. Then, load was applied

gradually to the middle of the specimen by roller. At a specific load the

sample is break, i.e. fracture is occurred. The deflection was measured

by the gauge placed under the specimen, at the center. For the gradually

increasing deformation of the specimen, the respective load is noted and

further calculation is performed to find the bending strength of the

specimens. Air jet erosion equipment is used in current experimental

work is depicted in figure 2(b). The air jet erosion tester is equipped

with air compressor, erodent mixing-chamber, and erodent accelerating-

chamber. The erodent in combination with the compressed air in mixing

chamber is then allowed to strike on the specimen surface at constant

flow rate (Aglan & Chenock,

1993). An electronic weighing

machine (accuracy = 0.1 mg) was

utilized for weighing the samples

prior and post erosion test. Until a

steady state condition is attained this

erosion process
 Fig. 2 (a) UTM Fig 2 (b) AIR JET
EROSION TEST RIG

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Tensile Test Results:

The different composite specimen samples are tested in the universal

testing machine (UTM) and the samples are left to break till the ultimate

tensile strength occurs. Experimental results of tensile test of various

composites with different weight fractions of reinforcement are

presented in Figure-3.
 Figure-3: Tensile Strength for GJJG Combination

Flexural Test Results:

Experimental results of Flexural test of various composites with

different weight fractions of reinforcement are presented in Figure-3.

Figure-3(a): Flexural Deflection for GJJG Combination

 Figure-3(b): Flexural Strength for GJJG Combination
Air Jet Erosion Test Results:

Experimental results of Air Jet Erosion test of various composites with

different weight fractions of reinforcement are presented in Figure-4

Figure-4(a): Erosion Test for GJJG Combination(30⁰)

Figure-4(b): Erosion Test for GJJG Combination(45⁰)

Figure-4(c): Erosion Test for GJJG Combination(60⁰)

Figure-4(d): Erosion Test for GJJG Combination(90⁰)