Characterization and Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Reinforced Composites Material

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com

ScienceDirect Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 14458–14467

www.materialstoday.com/proceedings

ICAFM_2017

Characterization and Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Reinforced Composites Material Jagannathan Sundrababua*, Paulius Griskeviciusb a

Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering and Technology, Tamilnadu, India b Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania, Europe

Abstract In this research work, the natural biodegradable fibers are extracted from the environmental wastage and utilized to develop as a new alternative plant based fiber composite material. In this work, two combinations are considered for evaluating the performance of composite materials which contains renewable natural resources. Firstly, short bio degradable reinforcement materials such as Coconut Shell Powder (CSP), Rice Husk Powder (RHP), Sugarcane Baggase Ash (SCBA) and Fungi (FG) are homogeneously milled by planetary milling machine to a powder form with the particles size range in micron level is reinforced with natural resin as Moringa Resin (lum of moringa plant Moringa oleifera) matrix material. Secondly with the Synthetic Resin as Vinyl Ester (VE) matrix material. The composite specimens are manufactured by the hand layup method with the composition of 40% of reinforcement and 60% of matrix material in constant proposition is used for the preparation of specimens. Finally, the particle size of manufactured specimens is determined by using the optical microscopy and density is measured with help of density measurement kit. The specimens are subsequently tested and the results are noticed simultaneously. It is seen thatthe natural matrix material tensile strength improved as compared to that of synthetic matrix material which can be suggested to use as a possible alternate material for thetrust areas of engineering applications. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and/or Peer-review under responsibility of ICAFM’17.

Keywords: Biodegradable Fibers; Polymer Matrix Composites; Homogenous Milling;

1. INTRODUCTION Natural fiber reinforced composites are gaining importance in the last few decades because of its biodegradability, low cost and low impact on environment compared to synthetic fiber composites K.P.Ashik et al. [1] experimented on natural fibre and glass fibre reinforced composites and resulted that natural fibres are superior in industrial applications. K.L. Pickering et al [2] research on natural fibre reinforced composites shown improved

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +91-9600348586 E-mail address: [email protected] 2214-7853© 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and/or Peer-review under responsibility of ICAFM’17.

Jagannathan Sundarababu / Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 14458–14467

14459

mechanical performance by fibre selection, extraction, treatment and interfacial engineering as well as composite process. J.Bhaskar et al [3] experimental results shown that the coconut shell particle reinforced composites with epoxy matrix has shown maximum water absorption. J.OlumuyiwaAgunsoye et al [4] experimented on coconut shell particles with low - density polyethylene matrix and found that the hardness increases with increase in coconut shell content. Though the tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, impact strength and ductility of the composite decreases. In the other case SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) of the composites surfaces indicated poor interfacial interaction between the coconut shell particle and low - density polyethylene matrix (LDPE).I.Z. Bujang et al [5] have studied on coconut fibre reinforced composites and his research shown a dynamic characteristics and mechanical properties such as tensile modulus changes with fibre content and it is observed that the strength of coconut fibre reinforced composites to decrease with the amount of fibre increases which indicated the ineffectiveness stress transfer between the fibre and matrix. Alok Singh et al [6] shown that Coconut Shell Powder(CSP) epoxy composite materials with different particles size shown better tensile, flexural strength and water absorption properties. S. Muthukumar et al [7] experimented on Coconut shell powder (CSP) and groundnut shell powder (GSP) in different volumes and resulted that the tensile, flexural and impact strength have shown improvement when compared to other research works. The tensile and flexural properties of coconut shell ash reinforced epoxy composites of filler content by carbonation method and his result shown that the strength increases initially and then decreases with further increase in the volume of filler [8]. I WayanSurata et al [9] experimental result shown that the rice husk fibre reinforced polyester composites have improved its tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus with an increase in fibre weight fraction. However, the mechanical properties of rice husk fibre composites were affected by alkalization which leaded for better interfacial bonding between rice husk fibre and polymer matrix. Hasan ASSAEDI, et al [10] resulted from his studies that the flax fibre reinforced geo-polymer composites has shown higher flexural, compressive strength and significant enhancements due to the unique properties of flax fibres such as resisting greater bending and fracture forces than the more brittle geo polymer. F.G. TORRES et al [11] showed that natural fibre reinforced thermoplastic starch bio-composites prepared from potato starch has shown an improvement in its tensile strength reinforced with sisal fibres, whereas for jute and cabuya fibres the tensile strength was shown marginal improvements. Composites based on jute and cabuya fibres with potato starch shown improvements in impact strength with regard to the unreinforced matrix. Dario Croccolo et al [12] experimented on natural fibre composites of flax fibre reinforced composites with isophthalic and vinyl ester matrix. The result shown that the isophthalic resin has a better improvement in its properties with respect to vinyl ester in terms of strength and stiffness. Andressa Cecilia Milanese et al [13] haveexperimented the moisture content of sisal fibre have influenced the mechanical behaviour of the composites. Olusegun David Samuel et al [14] experimented on ukam and sisal composites and resulted in improvement on its properties with alkalisation treatment. Chaolin Ye et al [15] has shown that thermal stability of sisal fibre reinforced polylactide composites decreases and crystallinity increases with the addition of sisal fibres. Can-Jun Huang et al [16] stated that heat treatment of sisal fibres yields better improvement of fibre-matrix interfacial adhesion, which intern leads to improved mechanical properties. However, the previous research works stated that the particles had not shown extreme effect in improving the fracture resistance but they enhanced thestiffness of the composites to a limited extent. Whereas, this present work is focus on diverse volume fractions of reinforcements and filler combinations with the matrix material is carried out and the results of thedensity, particle size, strength and hardness are explored. 2. Material for manufacturing 2.1 Materials for the fabrication The natural biodegradable plant based fibersfrom the environment are extracted. In figure 1 the materials used for the manufacturing of specimens are shown.

14460

Jagannathan Sundarababu/ Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 14458–14467

Fig. 1. Materials for Manufacturing

Coconut Shell Powder (a)

Rice Husk Powder (b)

Sugarcane Baggash Ash (c)

Fungi (d)

Fig. 2. (a) Coconut Shell Powder (b) Rice Husk Powder (c) Sugarcane Baggash Ash (d) Fungi

3. Methods In this present work, the test specimen is prepared through the homogenous milled fiber. Hydraulic compacting procedure is carried out for the determining the particle size and density in all the three methods. Planetary milling technique is carried out for attaining the homogenous mixture of materials in the homogenous milling. 3.1Planetary Milling The fiber and the filler such as Coconut Shell Powder (CSP), Rice Husk Powder (RHP), Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) and Fungi are milled by mechanical milling machine to attain the homogeneous size distribution of the particles. The planetary milling condition is tabulated in Table 1. Table1. Planetary Milling conditions Milling container

Steel

Milling speed

200 rpm

Milling time

30 minutes

Grinding medium

Type -steel, size of ball -10

Jagannathan Sundarababu / Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 14458–14467 Milling atmosphere

Room temperature

Extent of filling vial

Partially Filled

14461

3.2 Hydraulic Compacting The materials are placed between the two sliding plates, the compressed material (fiber and filler) is tested under optical microscopy for the determination of particle size and density. In Figure 3 the Optical Microstructureof Coconut Shell Powder, Figure 4 the Optical Microstructure of Rice Husk Powder, Figure 5 the Optical Microstructureof Sugarcane Baggesh Ash and in figure 6 the Optical MicrostructureofFungi is carried out and the average particle size is calculated and shown below. Finally, average of theparticle size and density are shown in the figure 7 and figure 8. 3.3 Optical Microstructureof Individual Fiber and Filler Materials 3.3.1 Optical Microstructure of Coconut shell powder:

Average particle size is 80.8 µm (a)

Average particle size is 58.2 µm (b)

Average particle size is 64.3 µm (c)

Average particle size is 67.5 µm (d)

Fig. 3. (a – d): Optical Microstructure of Coconut Shell Powder

3.3.2 Optical Microstructure of Rice husk powder:

Average particle size is 44.8 µm (a)

Average particle size is 50 µm (b)

Average particle size is 49.2 µm (c)

Fig. 4. (a-c): Optical Microstructure of Rice Husk Powder

14462

Jagannathan Sundarababu/ Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 14458–14467

3.3.3 Optical Microstructure of Sugarcane Baggash Ash:

Average particle size is 41.6 µm (a)

Average particle size is 30.5 µm (b)

Average particle size is 67.1 µm (c)

Average particle size is 45.7 µm (d)

Fig. 5. (a-d): Optical Microstructure of Sugarcane Baggash Ash

3.3.4 Optical Microstructure of Fungi

Average particle size is 59.2 µm (a)

Average particle size is 32.2 µm (b)

Average particle size is 15.7 µm (c)

Average particle size is 33.3 µm (d)

Fig. 6. (a – d): Optical Microstructure of Fungi

The figure 7 is drawn between the reinforcements and it is clearly shown that the particle size of the fungi is about 27.62 µm (microns). The minimum particle size is attained by the fungi and maximum particle size is about 67.75 µm (microns) which is attained by the Coconut shell powder. In figure 8 the density and the optical microscopy image has shown that the coconut shell powder has shown the lowest density of 1.11g/cm3 then the other fiber and filler. Eventually, the fungi have shown the highest 1.60 g/cm 3 densities of then the other fiber and filler.

Fig.7. Particle size of Natural Plant Fiber and Filler

Fig. 8. Density of Natural Plant Fiber and Filler

Jagannathan Sundarababu / Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 14458–14467

14463

3.4 Optical Microstructure of Combinations of Fiber and Filler Compositions Composition of homogenous milling with the different volume fractions of reinforcements and filler combinations are shown in the table 2. The particle size and density and the optical microscopy image as are shown in the figures below. In Figure 9 the Optical Microscopy Images of compositions C1, Figure 10 the Optical Microscopy Images of compositions C2, and Figure 11 the Optical Microscopy Images of compositions C3. Table2.Compositions of homogenous milling Sl. No

Reinforcements

C1

C2

C3

1

Coconut shell powder

5

10

10

2

Rice husk powder

5

5

10

3

Sugarcane – Baggage ash

5

5

5

4

Fungi

5

5

5

3.4.1Optical Microstructure of Composition -1

Average particle size is 52.6 µm (a)

Average particle size is 44.2 µm (b)

Average particle size is 37.9 µm (c)

Average particle size is 43.3 µm (d)

Fig. 9. (a-d): Optical Microstructure of Composition 1

3.4.2 Optical Microstructure of Composition -2

Average particle size is 34.2 µm (a)

Average particle size is 48.3 µm (b)

Average particle size is 51.2 µm (c)

Average particle size is 44.2 µm (d)

Fig.10. (a – d) Optical Microstructure of Composition 2

14464

Jagannathan Sundarababu/ Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 14458–14467

3.4.3 Optical Microstructure of Composition -3

Average particle size is 59.2 µm (a)

Average particle size is 40.3 µm (b)

Average particle size is 44.3 µm (c)

Average particle size is 39.1 µm (d)

Fig.11. (a – d) Optical Microstructure of Composition 3

In figure 12 is the Microstructure of Composition 1, Composition 2 and Composition 3 are determined and the particle size of the 44.5µm (microns) is attained in all the three combinations. In the case of density, the minimum is attained by the Combination 3 of 1.08 g/cm3 and maximum particle size is about 1.18g/cm3 as shown in the Figure 13.

Fig. 12. Particle size of the compositions C1, C2, and C3.

Fig, 13. Density of the compositions C1, C2,C3

4. Manufacturing 4.1 Composite of Natural plant fiber with Moringa Resin The reinforcement as (40%) and matrix material as moringa resins is milled by using the hammer into powder and milling has carried out and weighed (60%) in the weighing machine. The reinforcement and matrix material are blended for five minutes by using a mechanical stirrer. Eventually after the reinforcement and matrix are mixed by using the mechanical stirrer the blended reinforcements and matrix is poured into the mould (steel die). The steel die is coated by the Wax (carnauba) for an ease removal of specimen from the mould. Certainly, the mixed material is placed in to the mould and screwed up by the bolts at the corner of the steel die. Then the steel die is placed in the furnace chamber for three hours with the temperature of 160˚C. After three hours the steel mould is taken out from the furnace and placed in a room temperature for three hours for curing to take place. The die is placed into the furnace at a temperature of 160˚C for three hours. The die is placed in the furnace at a temperature of about 160˚C

Jagannathan Sundarababu / Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 14458–14467

14465

for three hours with zero humidity. The fabricated composite (Natural plant fiber with Moringa Resing) bar is shown in figure 14.

Fig. 14.Composites of natural plant fiber with Moringa Resin

4.2 Composite of Natural plant fiber with Vinyl Ester Resin Three types of specimens are manufactured as mentioned in methods section. The manufacturing technique is followed after the preparation of three types of specimen. The reinforcement materials with the composition of 40% and Vinyl Ester (VE) of 60% are weighed in a weighing machine. The Vinyl Ester (VE) of 60% is accelerated by addition of the accelerator and highly stirred by using the mechanical stirrer for 5 to 10 minutes for the initiation to take place. Once the initial blending is carried out, the reinforcement material of 40% is added with the 60% of matrix material and highly stirred by using the mechanical stirrer for 5 to 10 minutes for further blending to take place. Secondly, the mould is cleaned by using the alcohol to remove the dust. Then three coatings are applied by using the carnauba wax for an interval of 10 minutes. Then the blended reinforcement material and the matrix material is poured in to the mould by using the hand layup method. The mould is closed and screwed up at the four ends at room temperature. The fabricated composite (Natural plant fiber with Vinyl Ester Resin) bar is shown in figure 15.

Fig. 15.Composites of natural plant fiber with Vinyl Ester Resin

5. Mechanical testing 5.1 Tensile testing The specimen is taken out from the mould once the fabrication process has been completed. The geometry of the specimen is 90mm×20mm×2mm, with the C1, C2 and C3 composition. The test is carried out by the universal testing machine. The testing process are carried out in the room temperature. The specimen was mounted by its ends into the holding grips of the testing apparatus. Then the load is gradually increased until the material attaining the failure state. The load and the displacement readings are recorded for the different composition samples which are shown in figure 16.This tensile test is performed until the material attaining failure.

14466

Jagannathan Sundarababu/ Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 14458–14467

Fig. 16.Experimental Results of Tensile testing result of composition of C1, C2, and C3

5.2 Theoretical Tensile strength (TS) for RSM In fabrication of composites materials, there will be two or more process variables that are inherently related and it is necessary to explore the nature of their relationship. A model has been proposed relating the process parameters with the output response (Mechanical properties). This model is used for prediction, process optimization or control purposes. In general, there will be response or dependent variables (e. Tensile strength etc...), which dependent on some independent variables (e.g. Fiber length (f1) and Fiber Volume fraction (vf) etc.). (Response surface modelling (RSM) is the collection of experimental strategies, mathematical methods and statically inferences that enable an experimental to make efficient empirical exploration of the system of interest. The response function has been determined in un-coded units as T.S = 8.93 + 0.474 * Vf- 0.084 * f1 – 0.00587 * (Vf)2 + 0.012 (f1 )2 +0.00058 * Vf * f1 ….[1]

Fig.17. Tensile Strength for Theoretical and Experimental values of Compositions C1,C2 and C3 The theoretically calculated values are compared with the experimental results. it is shown figure 17 .

5.3 Hardness testing: The Hardness of the three compositions such as composition 1, composition 2 and composition 3 of natural based plant fiber reinforced composites with vinyl ester are carried out for determining the hardness by using the Brinell Hardness Testing machine. The specimen size is average of about 90 mm in length, 20mm breadth and 6mmWidth. The specifications of machine are ball indenter diameter of about 20mm and load of about 2500 N. The measured hardness values of different compositions is depicted in the figure 18.

Jagannathan Sundarababu / Materials Today: Proceedings 5 (2018) 14458–14467

14467

Fig. 18. Brinell hardness for composition C1, C 2 and C3

6. Conclusion The Mechanical property of natural fiber reinforced composites has been evaluated and from the results, it is clear that the 100% natural fiber reinforced material with moringa matrix has a tensile strength of 2.45 MPa with a density of 1.10 g/cm3, but, it is the lowest tensile strength compared to the other ones. The non-adhesion property between the reinforcement and the matrix could be due to the moringa resin crystallized nature. The diverse volume fractions of reinforcements and filler combinations with the matrix material are manufactured and the results are evaluated. The results showed that such as density, particle size, strength, and hardness. Composition 1 of the tensile strength of 14.62 MPa with the density of 1.18 g/cm3 is better when compared with the Compositions 2 and Composition 3. The Brinell hardness test results of the compositions C1 and C2 fiber reinforced materials have shown the higher hardness of about 20.09 and 16.57. The composition C3 has resulted in lower hardness of 13.89. The effect of lower hardness is due to the addition of filler material. The filler material has influenced the loss of hardness. The Brinell hardness results have shown that the addition of filler content reduces the hardness of the composites. The benefits of the including of bio-based materials must be considered, as a reduction of carbon footprint, use of renewable materials, and reductions in cost. The advantage of using the natural plant based fiber material is giving birth to the bio-plants and in the industrial means the reduction of cost can be obtained by increasing the filler material and utilization of natural wastage can decrease the hazardous damage to the earth. Acknowledgement Our sincere thanks to Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania, UniversitatPolitècnica de Catalunya Barcelona, Spain and Associació Centre Tecnològic del Compòsit” (la "Compañía"), (CETECOM) Amposta, Spain for providing the R & D facility with funding (Erasmus Grant) for carrying out the research. References [1] K. P. Ashikandramesh s. Sharma. A. Compos. Scires.,2015, 3, 420-426. [2] K. L. Pickering, m.g. aruanefendyandt. M. Le.,composites part a: Applied science and Manufacturing 2015. 08 .038. 1359-835x. [3] J. Bhaskarand V. K. Singh. Compos. Journal of Materials and Environmental Science JMESCN. 4(1) (2013) 113-118 2028-2508. [4] J. OlumuyiwaAgunsoye, Talabi S. Isaac andSanni O. Samuel. Compos. SciRes.,2012, 11, 774-779. [5] I. Z. Bujang, M. K. AwangandA. E. Ismail. Regional Conference on Engineering Mathematics, Mechanics, Manufacturing & Architecture (EM*ARC) 2007. [6] Alok Singh, Savita Singh and Aditya Kumar. Compos. Science PG., 2013; 2(5): 157-161. [7] S. Muthukumarand K. L. Lingadurai. Global Journal of Engineering Science and ResearchesGjesr.,1(3): May, 2014. 2348-8034. [8] Rahul Chanap. International Journal of ChemTech Research CODEN (USA): IJCRGG ISSN: 0974-4290 Vol.8, No.11 pp 624-637 2015. [9] Wayan Surata, I Gusti Agung Kade Suriadi, and Krissanti Arnis.Compos. International Journal of Materials, Mechanics and Manufacturing (IJMMM).2014 [10]HasanAssaedi, ThamerAlomayri, Faiz U. A. ShaikhandIt-Meng LOW. Compos. Journal of advanced ceramics.,2015, 4(4), 272-281, 2226-4108. [11] F. G. Torres, O. H. Arroyoand C. Gomez. Compos. SAGE Publications. 2007. 207. 0892-7057. [12] Dario Croccolo, Massimiliano De Agostinis, Stefano fini, Alfredo Liverani, NicoloMarinelli, Eugenio NisiniandGiorgioOlmi. Compos. Jme.,2015. 227236.2014.2248. [13] Andressa Cecilia Milanese, Maria OdilaHilarioCioffi and Herman JacobusCornelisVoorwald. Compos. 2011.2022-2027. [14] Olusegun David Samuel, Stephan Agbo, Timothy AdesoyeAdekanye.Compos. SciRes. 2012, 11, 780-784. [15] Can-Jun Huang, Xiang-Li Li, Ye-Qing Zhang, Yan-Hong Feng, Jin-Ping Qu, He-Zhi He and Han-ZhiShen. Compos.,2015. Vol.28(6), 777-790. [16] Chaolin Ye1, Guozhen Ma2, Wuchang Fu1 and Hongwu Wu1. Compos. 2015. Vol.34(9), 718-730.