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Technical Paper

Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Abutilon indicum Fiber-Based Polyester Composites under Alkali Treatment for Automotive Sector

2024-03-06
2024-01-5031
Natural fiber-reinforced composites are increasingly used in the automotive and aerospace industries since more studies focus on them because they are environmentally benign. The primary benefit of natural fibers over synthetic fibers is their biodegradability. In addition to meeting other standards, natural fiber-reinforced composites have high thermal and mechanical qualities. The current study’s main objective has been to investigate one such natural fiber-reinforced polymer. Biomaterials constructed of Abutilon indicum fiber reinforced with polyester were created in the current work. The test samples with the materials above underwent mechanical and thermal investigations to determine their strengths. The impact of alkali treatment (NaOH) on the fibers was also investigated and assessed.
Technical Paper

Revolutionizing Automotive Materials through Enhanced Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Hybrid Bio-Composites with Hemp, Kenaf, and Coconut Powder

2024-02-23
2023-01-5185
Introducing a groundbreaking exploration into the mechanical properties of epoxy hybrid biocomposites, this study unveils a comprehensive analysis encompassing tensile strength, flexural properties, impact resistance, and hardness characteristics. The materials under scrutiny include hemp fiber (H), kenaf fiber (K), and coconut powder (CP), both in their untreated state and after undergoing alkaline processing. This research marks a significant milestone in understanding these sustainable materials and their potential for enhancing composite materials. In this endeavour, hemp is the basis material, while kenaf and coconut are filler elements. The total weight proportion of hemp was kept constant while the other two fibre fillers were changed. The unprocessed laminate sample significantly improves tensile, flexural, and impact strength with increasing coconut fiber loading.
Technical Paper

Polypropylene Composite Materials with Natural Fiber Reinforcement: An Acoustic and Mechanical Analysis for Automotive Implementations

2024-02-23
2023-01-5130
This research looks at the acoustic and mechanical characteristics of polypropylene (PP) composites supplemented with natural fibers to determine whether they are appropriate for automotive use. To generate composites that are hybrids, four diverse natural fibers, including Calotropis gigantea (CGF), jute, sisal, and kenaf, were mixed into PP matrices. The study examines how fiber type, frequency, and thickness affect sound absorption and mechanical strength. The results show that these natural fiber-reinforced composites have improved mechanical characteristics, with CGF (73.26 shore D value of Hardness), sisal (42.35 MPa tensile) and jute fibers showing particularly promising materials. Furthermore, the acoustic study emphasizes these materials’ frequency-dependent sound absorption properties, with particular efficacy in mid-frequency regions. Such organic reinforcement fiber materials’ acoustic performance is tested at 5 mm and 10 mm thicknesses.
Technical Paper

Mechanical Assessment of Carbon–Luffa Hybrid Composites for Automotive Applications

2023-10-11
2023-01-5070
In order to determine if carbon–luffa hybrid composites are appropriate for automotive applications, this study gives a thorough mechanical evaluation of such materials. A potential path to improving the performance of automotive components is provided by combining the remarkable strength and stiffness of carbon fibers with the lightweight and environmentally friendly qualities of luffa fibers. The mechanical characteristics of the hybrid composites were characterized using a variety of experimental examinations, including tensile, flexural, and impact testing, and contrasted to those of traditional materials often used in the automobile sector. The composite containing 85% epoxy and 15% carbon fibers displayed the best tensile strength among the examined samples, reaching 168.58 MPa. However, 85% epoxy, 7.5% luffa, and 7.5% carbon fibers had a remarkable bending strength of 110.25 MPa.
Technical Paper

Impact of Kenaf Fiber and Inorganic Nanofillers on Mechanical Properties of Epoxy-Based Nanocomposites for Sustainable Automotive Applications

2024-02-23
2023-01-5115
Due to the increasing demand for lightweight and eco-friendly materials in the automotive sector, alternative fibers like kenaf are gaining attention as potential materials for car components. This study aims to evaluate the impact of fly ash and Al2O3 nanomaterials on the mechanical and thermomechanical properties of kenaf fiber-reinforced composites, particularly for automotive applications. Various composites were produced and tested using standard manual fabrication methods for key mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength, inter-laminar shear strength, hardness, and impact resistance. Adding kenaf fibers, fly ash, and Al2O3 nanofillers to epoxy composites demonstrated a noticeable improvement in the thermomechanical properties of the resulting material. This enhancement is attributed to improved interfacial bonding and uniform distribution of the nanofillers within the polymer matrix.
Technical Paper

Enhancing the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Kevlar Composites for Advanced Vehicle Components using Montmorillonite Nano Clay Integration

2024-02-23
2023-01-5113
The automobile industry is searching for materials that offer superior mechanical and thermal properties. With this objective, the current study delves into the potential advantages of integrating nanofillers into hybrid composite structures tailored for vehicle applications. The investigation employed Kevlar fiber, a renowned material in vehicular composites, and reinforced it with an epoxy matrix, crafting a nanocomposite surface. This method was paralleled by incorporating nanoparticle-infused resin into the Kevlar fiber. The concentration of nano clay within the epoxy resin was adjusted across different weight percentages: 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%. Both composite and nanomaterial panels were meticulously crafted using the hand layup method post-curing. The outcome was enlightening: the tensile strength of the clay/epoxy/Kevlar composite surged by 10.54% at the 7.5 wt% clay concentration. This enhancement, however, saw a decline in higher clay incorporations.
Technical Paper

Effects of Injection Molding on Linum usitatissimum Fiber Polyvinyl Chloride Composites for Automotive Underbody Shields and Floor Trays

2024-04-29
2024-01-5053
The automotive sector’s growing focus on sustainability has been spurred to investigate the creation of sustainable resources for different parts, emphasizing enhancing efficiency and minimizing environmental harm. For use in automobile flooring trays and underbody shields, this study examines the impact of injection molding on composite materials made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Linum usitatissimum (flax) fibers. As processed organic fiber content was increased, the bending and tensile rigidity initially witnessed an upsurge, peaking at a specific fiber loading. At this optimal loading, the composite exhibited tensile strength, flexural strength, and elastic modulus values of 41.26 MPa, 52.32 MPa, and 2.65 GPa, respectively. Given their deformation resistance and impact absorption attributes, the mechanical properties recorded suggest that such composites can be efficiently utilized for automotive underbody shields and floor trays.
Technical Paper

Effectiveness of Titanium Dioxide Nano Fillers on Sisal fiber for Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Occupant Protection in Hybrid Nanocomposites

2024-02-23
2023-01-5114
Vehicle occupant protection remains a critical concern in the field of crashworthiness technology. When integrated into polymer nanocomposites, natural fibres like sisal offer a high strength-to-weight ratio that can contribute to effective energy absorption during collisions. However, these fibers present challenges, such as poor hydrophilicity and moisture retention. This study employs compression molding techniques to create hybrid composites of sisal fibers, epoxy, and titanium oxide nano fillers. We particularly investigate how fiber orientation and the concentration of nano fillers can optimize mechanical and thermal properties, thereby enhancing occupant protection features. Our findings demonstrate that the orientation of sisal fibers and the incorporation of titanium oxide nano fillers in the epoxy matrix significantly influence the composite's mechanical and thermal characteristics.
Technical Paper

Effectiveness of Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Jute Fibers under Different Chemical Treatment for Automotive Interior Trim

2024-01-22
2024-01-5008
In the quest for sustainable materials for automotive interior trim, jute fiber is gaining traction due to its characteristics, which align with other renowned natural fibers. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of sodium bicarbonate as a treatment for jute fibers in comparison to conventional alkaline treatments. Both treated and untreated fibers were examined. Results showed that alkali-processed fibers demonstrated enhanced crystallization, thermal resistance, and surface quality relative to untreated ones. Specifically, alkali-treated jute fibers exhibited a degradation onset at 261.23°C, while those treated with sodium bicarbonate began degrading at 246.32°C. Untreated fibers had a degradation onset at 239.25°C. Although both treatments improved the thermal stability of the fiber, sodium bicarbonate processing, while beneficial, was slightly less effective than the traditional alkaline method.
Technical Paper

Effect of Stacking Sequence on Mechanical Properties of Bamboo/Bagasse Composite Fiber for Automobile Seat Cushions and Upholstery Application

2024-02-06
2024-01-5013
Researchers have chosen to study natural fibers instead of synthetic fibers since low-cost and ecologically favorable materials are required. The present research concentrates on the mechanical characteristics of epoxy composites reinforced with bamboo and bagasse fibers. The hybrids were created using four different ratios of bamboo/bagasse fibers, then hand-laid up. The material characteristics of the generated composites, including tension, bending, impacts, and Shore D hardness measurements, were assessed. The scanning electron microscopy technique was used to study morphology. Three levels of bamboo and a core network of bamboo fibers in composites were assumed to generate superior qualities. The core layer of bamboo and an outer layer typically characterized by sugarcane composites have enhanced flexural strength and Shore D toughness because of the bamboo layer at the center.
Technical Paper

Dynamic Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polymer-Coated Jute Fibers for Enhanced Automotive Parts

2024-02-12
2024-01-5019
Automobile parts often require materials that offer high strength and durability. With the continuous push for environmentally friendly solutions, natural fibers such as jute have emerged as a potential alternative for synthetic fibers in automobile components. In this study, we aim to enhance the properties of jute fibers by coating them with different polymers and assessing their suitability for automotive applications. We treated jute fibers with various polymers—low-density polyethylene, polyester, and araldite epoxy. The performance of these treated fibers was compared using fiber tensile experimentation, differential calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical evaluation. Our findings reveal that the treated jute fibers exhibit a tensile strength of 598 MPa. However, when coated with polymers, there’s a variance in strength: polyethylene (263 MPa), polyester (191 MPa), and epoxy (281 MPa).
Technical Paper

Analyzing the Moisture and Chemical Retention Behavior of Flax Fiber–Ceramic Hybrid Composites for Automotive Underbody Shields

2024-01-22
2024-01-5006
In pursuing enhanced bio-composite properties, filler materials play a pivotal role. This study delves into the impact of ceramic additives on the chemical resistance and moisture durability of flax fiber-reinforced polymers. Utilizing the hand lay-up technique, we developed polyester composites reinforced with flax fibers. Silicon carbide (SiC) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) were chosen as filler components. One batch of flax fibers underwent an alkaline treatment to enhance their properties further using a 5% NaOH solution. The resistance of composite samples to acetic acid and sodium hydroxide was then assessed. Additionally, the moisture absorption patterns of all models were investigated. A thorough comparative analysis was conducted among multiple composite batches. The results highlighted that integrating additives significantly bolstered the chemical and moisture resistance of the composites.
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