TENSILE TEST ANALYSIS OF NATURAL FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITE

This project mainly deals with analysis of tensile properties of Palmyra fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite that is suitable for automobile application. First, the property of material was obtained on the basis of some assumptions (i.e., Rule of Mixture) and was modeled with reference to ASTM D638. Here the simulation was carried out on specimen under different fiber volume fraction and fiber length. The present work includes the Analysis of Palmyra Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites using FEA with various fiber volume fractions and these results were validated with the experimental result. The tensile property of Palmyra fiber composite material can be obtained by using tensometer.During the tensile load, the maximum strain, stress and displacement were obtained and, then this experimental result was compared with the analytical results and the error percentage of these results were calculated. Keyword: Palmyra natural fiber, Epoxy resin, Tensile strength, Ansys solving 1. METHODOLOGY The Palmyra natural fiber and epoxy resin are select for this project and fabricate the tensile test specimens according to the ASTM standard (D638). As per the dimension the Palmyra natural fiber and epoxy composite is manufacturing different volume fraction of fiber and resin. The prepared D638 specimens were tested by using tensometer and list the results. The analytical result has is get from ansys software as per the composite analytical procedure. Compare the experimental and analytical values. In such a comparison helps to known the tensile strength of the any natural fiber composite materials. 2. FIBRE EXTRACTION PROCES The Palmyra fibers available from Palmyra tree. Palmyra fruits were cut and tied in to the bundles and retted in the water for a week. The retted fruits were washed in running water. Then the fruits are beaten with a thick round mallet until the fleshy matter is dusted off. The fibers were cleaned and dried in sunlight. Fig2.1 Palmyra fiber 3. CHEMICAL TREATMENT Fiber were treated with 5% aq. NaOH solution and washed in distilled water. Then these fibers were washed with very dilute acid (HCL) to remove any particles of alkali. Then the fibers were washed with in water. Finally these fibers were washed with distilled water until the fibers were alkali free. Then the washed fibers were dried in shadow. Fig3.1. Palmyra treated fiber 4. FIBRE PREPARATION Both treated and untreated fibers were chopped uniformly at a length of 3mmand 5mm. these fibers were mixed thoroughly with the ratio of based on the rule of mixture. 5. SELECTION OF RESIN In this present work epoxy LY556, mixed with hardnerHY951 was used as matrix material. The weight ratio of mixing epoxy and hardener was 1:4. Tensile Test Analysis Of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composite International Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (IJMIE) ISSN No. 2231 –6477, Vol-2, Iss-4, 2012 57 6. COMPOSITE FABRICATION Composite plates are prepared with mixer of epoxy and Palmyra fiber. The weighted amounts of treated and untreated fiber were taken, and cleaned the dust from fiber. The fiber cut for different length, 3mm, and 5mm. The epoxy resin act as a bonding material of the composite plate. Based on The rule of mixture the fiber and resin were mixed. Previously defined the best volume fraction 0.4 to 0.6 is mainly suites for composite material. The selected volume fraction of fiber and resin were mixing together based on rule of mixer. As like the, same procedure was followed for treated and untreated fibers for different length and volume fraction offiber. The combination of fiber and resin made a composite plate. The fiber and resin mixer pour in to the prepared die with respect to the height of composite plate. The short hammer used for ramming the fiber and resin mixer in the die. The upper plate was placed on the die plate were used applied pressure on the mould. While fabrication of the composite plate high pressure applied on the upper plate After 24 hours, the composite plate was removed from die set. . Fig6.1 composite plate fabrication 7. CUTTING THE ASTM D638 MODEL SPECIMEN 1. The prepared composite plate were cut ASTM specimen dimension shown in fig below D638 tensile test specimen. 2. The burrs were removed with smooth emery cloth and the specimens were cleaned. Fig7.1ASTM D638 specimen 8. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDUR The procedure for conducting the tensile test in a tensometer as follows.  The ASTM D638 composite tensile test specimen was checked for dimension.  The specimens were clamped in the fixture of the tensometer.  The machine was switched ON and the stepper motor in the tensometer gradually applied the tensile load on the specimen.  The strain gage which is connected in the tensometer, measured the displacement value.  The specimen was cut in two piece, after critical load applied on the specimen. Shown in fig.  The stress and strain value were noted from the computer which is coupled with the tensometer. Fig8.1braked specimen with machine Fibre length (treated fiber) Load N Strain Stress (N/sq. mm) Displace ment (mm) 3 mm 1618.2 0.129 20.9 6.485 Tensile Test Analysis Of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composite International Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (IJMIE) ISSN No. 2231 –6477, Vol-2, Iss-4, 2012 58 1667.2 0.126 20.64 6.341 5 mm 1618.16 0.436 20.34 7.181 1882.94 0.152 23.84 7.606 2059.47 0.159 26.24 7.962 Table 8.1 result for treated fiber Fibre length (untreae d fiber) Load N Strain Stress (N/sq. mm) Displace ment (mm) 3 mm 1304.33 0.151 16.5 7.552 1529.89 0.144 19.23 7.198 5 mm 1500.47 0.159 19.11 7.954 1765.26 0.142 22.16 7.113 1500.47 0.113 18.69 6.680 Table 8.2result for untreated fiber 9. TENSILE TEST RESULT FOR ANSYS The tensile test is generally performed on ASTM specimens. The commonly used specimens for tensile test are the dog-bone type and the straight side type with end tabs. During the test a uni-axial load is applied through both the ends of the specimen. The ASTM standard test method for tensile properties of fiber resin composites has the designation D638. The length of the test section should be 203.2 mm. The tensile test results SUCH AS Stress, Strain and Displacement are analyzed. Fig.9.1Stress Distributions on Composite Plate Fig. 9.2Strain Distributions on Composite Plate Fig.9.3Displacement on Composite Plate 10. STRESS VS STRAIN CURVE The stress vs strain curve was plotted by using experimental results. The X-axis indicates stress value and Y-axis indicate strain value. 11. LOAD VS DISPLACEMENT CURVE The load vs displacement curve was plotted by using experimental results. The X-axis indicates displacement value and Y-axis indicate load value. Fig11.1Stress VsStrain curve Fig11.2load vs displacement curve 12. PERCENTAGE OF ERROR CALCULATION The percentage of error can be calculated based on the comparison of experimental and stress vs strain