In recent years, there is a growing interest in the use of bio-fibers as reinforcements for thermoplastics and thermosets. A lot of research work has been performed all over the world on the use of natural fibers such as flax, bamboo, sisal, hemp, and jute as reinforcing materials for the preparation of various types of composites. In this study, the agricultural residue such as groundnut shell particles were chemically modified and added to the polymer to form novel bio-based composites. Composite boards were fabricated by randomly distributed groundnut shell particles of different grain sizes and epoxy resin with volume percentages of 70:30, 65:35, and 60:40. The composites prepared were characterized for some mechanical properties according to ASTM standards. The highest tensile strength, tensile modulus, MOR, and impact strength were observed for the sample having groundnut shell particles and epoxy resin proportion 60:40 and 0.5 mm particle size. However, the sample with 60:40 particles and resin proportion and 1 mm particle size has maximum MOE. Moisture absorption test reveals that water absorption decreases with increase in epoxy content. The results of this study showed that composite could be successfully developed using groundnut shell particles and epoxy which would be a substitute for wood-based material in many applications.
This paper investigates the physical and mechanical properties of bighorns of Deccani breed sheep native from Karnataka, India. The exhaustive work comprises two cases. First, rehydrated (wet) and ambient (dry) conditions, and second, the horn coupons were selected for longitudinal and lateral (transverse) directions. More than seventy-two samples were subjected to a test for physical and mechanical property extraction. Further, twenty-four samples were subjected to physical property testing, which included density and moisture absorption tests. At the same time, mechanical testing included analysis of the stress state dependence with the horn keratin tested under tension, compression, and flexural loading. The mechanical properties include the elastic modulus, yield strength, ultimate strength, failure strain, compressive strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and hardness. The results showed anisotropy and depended highly on the presence of water content more than coupon orientation. Wet conditioned specimens had a significant loss in mechanical properties compared with dry specimens. The observed outcomes were shown at par with results for yield strength of 53.5 ± 6.5 MPa (which is better than its peers) and a maximum compressive stress of 557.7 ± 5 MPa (highest among peers). Young’s modulus 6.5 ± 0.5 GPa and a density equivalent to a biopolymer of 1.2 g/cc are expected to be the lightest among its peers; flexural strength 168.75 MPa, with lowest failure strain percentage of 6.5 ± 0.5 and Rockwell hardness value of 60 HRB, seem best in the class of this category. Simulation study identified a suitable application area based on impact and fatigue analysis. Overall, the exhaustive experimental work provided many opportunities to use this new material in various diversified applications in the future.
In the last twenty years, the use of lignocellulosic fibers as filler to produce polymer composites has increased progressively. A lot of research work has been performed all over the world on the use of natural fibers as reinforcing material for the preparation of composites. The objective of the present work is to prepare a polymer based composite material using agricultural waste as reinforcing material and characterize some mechanical and thermal properties. In this investigation, groundnut shell particles were chemically modified and used with epoxy to form novel bio-based composites. Composite boards were fabricated with the different weight percentages of groundnut shell particles and epoxy resin. The maximum strength was observed for the sample A1 having 50 wt% filler content and 0.5 mm particle size. However, the sample A3 with 85 wt% filler content and 1mm particle size has maximum MOE. It was observed that thermal conductivity of composite specimens range from 0.07638 to 0.3487 W/m-K and linear thermal expansion varies from 0.725 × 10-6 to 1.296 × 10-6/°C. The results of present study have showed that groundnut shell particles could be used successfully to develop a beneficial composite that would be a substitute for wood-based panels in many applications.
Magnesium matrix composites are extensively used in automotive and structural applications due to their low density, high strength, and wear-resistant properties. To reach the scope of industry needs, research is carried out regarding enhancing the mechanical and tribological behavior of the magnesium composites by reinforcing the nano-sized reinforcements. In the present work, research has been carried out to enhance the properties of the magnesium AZ91D hybrid composite by reinforcing carbon fibers (CFs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with varying weight percentages (AZ91D + 0.5% CF’s + 0.5% MWCNT and AZ91D + 0.75% CF’s + 0.75% MWCNT, respectively). The experimental tests were carried out to evaluate the mechanical and tribological behavior of the composites. The test results showed that the addition of CF and MWCNT reinforcements improved the hybrid Mg composite’s hardness, tensile strength, and impact strength compared to the base Mg matrix. The AZ91D + 0.75% CF’s + 0.75% MWCNT hybrid composite showed a 19%, 35%, and 66% increased hardness, tensile strength, and impact strength, respectively, compared to the base Mg AZ91D. The wear test results also showed the improved wear resistance of the Mg composite compared to the base matrix. The enhanced wear resistance of the composite is due to the addition of hard MWCNT and CF reinforcements. The wear rate of the AZ91D + 0.75%CF’s + 0.75% MWCNT composite for a load of 30 N at a sliding distance of 1500 m is lower as compared to the base matrix. The SEM micrographs of the worn surfaces revealed the existence of abrasive wear. The improved mechanical and tribological behavior of the magnesium composite is also due to the homogeneous distribution of the hard reinforcement particles along the grain boundaries.
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