No abstract

No abstract

In the current research work an attempt is made to utilize the ecofriendly biochar materials as reinforcements in polymer composites. Biochar materials were developed from Arhar stalks and Bael shells waste biomass by pyrolysis process and studied for different characteristics. The surface morphology, crystalline structure, fixed carbon content and elemental composition of synthesized biochar materials were studied using scanning electron microscope, x-ray diffraction and proximate analysis. The results showed that the biochar (BB) produced using Bael shells are highly amorphous in nature and have high amount of elemental carbon than arhar stalk biochar (AB). Using epoxy as matrix and biochar materials as reinforcement composites were fabricated with three different filler weight fractions i.e., 2%, 4% and 6%. The composites with 4% Bael shell biochar exhibited high tensile strength, and has 183% more strength when compared with neat epoxy. Increasing the filler percentage from 4% to 6% the strength and hardness of composites reduced due to poor interfacial bonding. Morphological studies were performed on fractured surfaces of tensile tested samples by using scanning electron microscope. From thermogravimetric analysis it was found that with the inclusion of biochar materials thermal stability of composites was significantly enhanced. 4% Bael biochar composites (BBC) exhibited higher thermal resistance which left 8% residual mass.

In the present work, the mechanical and the tribological properties of eggshell nanoparticulate epoxy biocomposite were studied. The nanoparticles of eggshell were synthesized by planetary ball milling technique. Synthesized eggshell nanoparticulate were characterized with the aid of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction analysis, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Fabrication of eggshell nanoparticulate epoxy biocomposite was done by hand lay-up technique with different weight percentages (1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt%) of eggshell nanoparticles. To examine the solid particle erosion behavior of eggshell nanoparticulate epoxy biocomposite, four different impact angles (30°, 45°, 60°, 90°) and three different velocities (101 m s−1, 119 m s−1, 148 m s−1) were chosen. The effect of eggshell nanoparticles incorporation on the tensile properties, hardness, and the flexural properties was also investigated. The fractured surfaces of the tensile test, flexural test, and erosion test samples were examined with a SEM for morphological analysis. It was found that the eggshell nanoparticulate addition has a fruitful effect on tensile and flexural strength. The maximum tensile strength was found for 2 wt% nanoparticles addition, while the maximum flexural strength was found for 3 wt% of nanoparticles addition. The sand erosion study established a maximum wear rate at 60° of impact angle. The maximum erosion resistance was found in 2 wt% of eggshell nanoparticulate concentration.

No abstract

No abstract

Porous carbon materials have versatile physical and chemical characteristics; however, these materials are not be fully exploited as reinforcements in polymer composites. The present investigation focuses on extraction of hierarchical porous carbon and its utilization in polymer composite in order to enhance the erosion wear resistance and hardness of polymer composite. The current research work also demonstrates the wear behavior of the hierarchical porous carbon epoxy composite when exposed to different environmental conditions. The attributes of hierarchical carbon have verified through different characterization techniques, further porous carbon with optimum properties has been included as reinforcement in different ratios viz. 1, 2 and 3 wt. % to make the epoxy composites. The composites were studied for their hardness, moisture absorption and erosion wear behavior at variable impingement angles (30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°) and impingement velocities (101, 119, and 148 m/s). Moisture uptake results suggests that the increase in filler percentage increased the moisture absorption, and the highest moisture absorption was reported in composite immersed in saline water environment. It was observed that addition of activated carbon particles has enhanced hardness and wear resistance of the composite. Composite with 2 wt.% particulate reinforcement was found to be the optimum percentage of reinforcement which was subjected to 82.4% less material loss that is, erosion rate at 45° impact angle compared to neat polymer. From the erosion wear results it was further noticed that moisture absorption has deteriorated the erosion wear resistance of composites resulting in high material loss.

In the present study, a comparison has been made between the mechanical properties of polyester and epoxy matrices reinforced Sisal/S‐Glass, and also the effects of nano clay addition have been studied. For fabrication of composites, Glass/Sisal fibers are reinforced with Polyester and Epoxy with various wt% of nano clay. These composites are fabricated through the hand lay‐up technique. Various wt% of nano clay are 2, 4, 6 wt%, and the stacking sequence of fibers are GSSG (S‐Glass/Sisal/Sisal/S‐Glass). The variations of strengths among the polyester/epoxy are also studied and examined. In Epoxy/GSSG reinforced NC composites compared with 0–4 wt% tensile strength increased by 18%. Polyester/GSSG reinforced NC composites tensile strength increased by 16%, and in Epoxy/GSSG reinforced NC composites compared with 0–2 wt% flexural strength increased by 16%. Polyester/GSSG reinforced NC composites tensile strength increased by 24%. The microstructural analysis has been carried out on the fractured samples, which indicated brittle failure of the fiber and fiber pull‐outs. This conclusion confirms the proposed novel laminates fitness for possible usage in structural applications in the aerospace sector.