International Journal of Research in Advanced Technology - IJORAT

Vol. 2, Issue 1, JANUARY 2016

PERFORMANCE STUDY ON HYBRID

GLASS FIBER EPOXY COMPOSITE
Lakshmipathy.J 1, Jereme jeba Samuel.J 2, Manohar.J3.
Assistant Professor/Mechanical Engineering, Francis Xavier Engineering College, Tirunelveli, India1
Assistant Professor/Mechanical Engineering, Francis Xavier Engineering College, Tirunelveli, India 2
Assistant Professor/Mechanical Engineering, Francis Xavier Engineering College, Tirunelveli, India 3
ABSTRACT: Composite materials are replacing traditional materials because of their superior properties
such as high tensile strength and high strength to weight ratio. Natural fibers such as bagasse and jute are
abundant in nature, which have high tensile strength and low extensibility as compared to other natural
fibers. In synthetic fibers, glass fibers are the most common of all reinforcing fibers for polymeric matrix
composites. The main advantages of glass fibers are low cost, high tensile strength, high chemical
resistance and excellent insulating properties. Epoxy resin has more strength as compared to other resins.
Addition of small amount of chemically treated natural fibers to synthetic fibers may enhance the
mechanical properties of resulting hybrid composites. The main aim of this work is to identify the optimal
chemically treated natural fiber material to be used along with glass fiber in hybrid epoxy composites and
to enhance the strength of the composites. In this work, the jute and bagasse fibers were treated with
different three chemical solutions such as sodium hydroxide, potassium permanganate and stearic acid.
The hardener polyamine 301 mixed with epoxy resin AE103 in the ratio of 1:10 was used. Specimens were
prepared by compression moulding process, with five hybrid layers of natural fibers and glass fibers and
allowed to cure for 3 hours. Specimens with both untreated and treated fibers were fabricated and their
mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength are to be compared and the optimal
chemically treated natural fiber material will be identified.
Keywords: Natural Fiber, Bagasse Fiber, Jute Fiber, Glass Fiber, Epoxy Resin, Chemical treatment,
Sodium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Potassium Permanganate, Mechanical Behaviour.

I.INTRODUCTION
Composite materials can be defined as the
combination of two or more material that results in
better properties. The two constituents are
reinforcement and matrix. The reinforcing phase
provides the strength and stiffness. In most cases,
reinforcement is harder, stronger and stiffer than
the matrix. The reinforcement is usually a fiber or
particulate. The matrix performs several critical
functions include maintaining the fiber in the
proper orientation and spacing and protecting them
from the abrasion and the environment. Polymer
matrix composite that form a strong bond between
the fiber and the matrix. The matrix transmit load
from the matrix to the fiber through shear loading
at the interface. An example of some current
application of composites includes the diesel
piston, brake shoes and pads, tires and the aircraft
in which 100% of structural components are
composites. Natural fiber reinforced composites are
reasonably strong, lightweight and free from health
hazards, biodegradable and hence they have the

potential to be used as building materials. Natural

fibers have many advantages, such as
biodegradability, renewability, wide availability,
low density and low cost, which offer greater
opportunities to develop a new class of light
weight,
environment
friendly,
structural
composites. Many researchers have found that
treating the fibers with chemical solutions will be
superior in their properties [2]. E.F. Rodrigues et al.
[3] deals about tensile strength of polyester resin
reinforced sugarcane bagasse fibers modified by
estherification. Chemical treatment of the
sugarcane bagasse fibers by estherification through
anhydride system was studied to use as
reinforcement in polyester matrix. The fibers are
estherified for 5 hours with acetic anhydride,
toluene, acetic acid and perchloric acid. Composites
were fabricated through compression moulding
process. Tensile strength of modified bagasse fiber
was higher as compared to unmodified bagasse
fiber was found to be 14.7Mpa. B.Vijay Ramnath et
al. [4] deals about the study on evaluation of
mechanical properties of abaca-jute-glass fiber
reinforced epoxy composite. They deal with the

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International Journal of Research in Advanced Technology - IJORAT

Vol. 2, Issue 1, JANUARY 2016

fabrication and investigation of hybrid natural fiber

composite like jute and abaca as reinforcement. The
tensile strength of abaca and jute composite is
relatively more than jute composite and much
higher than abaca composite. The flexural strength
of the composite is in the decreasing order from
PROPERTIES
GLASS JUTE BAGASSE
Density [g/cm3]
2.54
1.4
1.3
Diameter [m ]
5-25
160-185 10-34
Tensile Strength 2000[MPa]
3500
400-800 222
Youngs modulus
[GPa]
70
30
17.9-27.1
Elongation at
break [%]
2.5
1.8
1.1
abaca, abaca and jute hybrid, jute composite.
Impact strength of abaca composite is high when
compared with jute and hybrid composites.
M.Ramesh et al. [5] deals about the study on
mechanical property evaluation of sisal-jute-glass
fiber reinforced polyester composites. They
fabricated a composite by mixing of natural fiber
with glass fiber reinforced polymers. Tensile
strength, flexural strength and impact strength were
evaluated. The results indicated that the
incorporation of sisal-jute fiber with GFRP can
improve the properties and used as an alternate
material for fiber glass reinforcement. V.Vilay et al.
[6] deals about the study on effect of fiber surface
treatment and fiber loading on the properties of
Bagasse fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester
composites. The Bagasse fiber has been used as
reinforcing component for unsaturated polyester
resin. The chemical treatment using sodium
hydroxide and acrylic acid were carried out to
modify properties. The fiber treated with acrylic
acid shows improvement in strength.

II.MATERIALS
Glass fibers are the most common of all
reinforcing fiber for polymeric matrix composites.
It is used as reinforcement for composites to form a
very strong and light fiber reinforced polymer
composite material. Glass fiber of surfacing mats
composed of continuous glass filaments in random
pattern was used. Jute fiber is extracted from the
retted stem of jute plant. It is the second most
vegetable fiber after cotton in terms of usage,
production and availability. Jute fiber is 100%
biodegradable and recyclable and thus eco friendly.
Bagasse is a fibrous matter that remains after
sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract their juice. It
is used as biofuel in the manufacture of pulp and
building materials. Bagasse is commonly used as
substitute for wood in many tropical and
subtropical countries for the production of pulp,

paper and board. Glass fibers of E grade are

obtained from GVR Enterprises, Madurai, India.
Jute fibers are purchased from SIPPO Training
Centre, Madurai, India. Bagasse fibers are extracted
from Sugarcane juice shop. Epoxy Resin AE103
and hardener Poylamine 301 is supplied by Leo
Enterprises, Nagercoil, India.
TABLE I: PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL
PROPERTIES OF GLASS, JUTE AND
BAGASSE FIBER.

III.METHODOLOGY
The raw jute and bagasse fibers were
subjected to different surface treatments with alkali,
potassium permanganate and stearic acid. The raw
jute and bagasse fibers were soaked in a stainless
steel vessel containing 10% sodium hydroxide
solution for 1 hour. Then the jute and bagasse fibers
were dried in air at room temperature. The raw jute
and bagasse fibers were soaked in a stainless steel
containing 0.5% potassium permanganate solution
for 1 hour. Then the jute and bagasse fibers were
dried in air at room temperature. The raw jute and
bagasse fibers were soaked in a stainless steel
vessel containing 1% stearic acid solution for 1
hour. Then the jute and bagasse fibers were dried in
air at room temperature. The composite materials
were fabricated by compression moulding process.
The composite specimen consists of total five
layers in which fiber layers are fixed in top middle
and bottom of the specimen. Second and fourth
layers are filled by natural fibers such as bagasse
and jute. The fiber is cut into as per the dimension
of the mould. The mould is then coated with wax to
avoid the resin sticking to the mould surface. The
hardener polyamine 301 is mixed with the ratio of
1:10. The prepared matrix solution was stirred
before pouring. The stirred matrix solution was
applied on the mould by using brush. Then the
fibers are arranged according to their layers in the
mould. The matrix solution should be applied to the
entire layer by using roller. The size of the mould
was 240mm x 240mm x 4mm. Then the mould has
kept in kept in compression moulding machine and
allowed to cure for 3 hours. potassium
permanganate and stearic acid. The raw jute and
bagasse fibers were soaked in a stainless steel
vessel containing 10% sodium hydroxide solution
for 1 hour. Then the jute and bagasse fibers were
dried in air at room temperature. The raw jute and
bagasse fibers were soaked in a stainless steel
containing 0.5% potassium permanganate solution
for 1 hour. Then the jute and bagasse fibers were
dried in air at room temperature. The raw jute and
bagasse fibers were soaked in a stainless steel

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International Journal of Research in Advanced Technology - IJORAT

Vol. 2, Issue 1, JANUARY 2016

vessel containing 1% stearic acid solution for 1

hour. Then the jute and bagasse fibers were dried in
air at room temperature. The composite materials
were fabricated by compression moulding process.
The composite specimen consists of total five
layers in which fiber layers are fixed in top middle
and bottom of the specimen. Second and fourth
layers are filled by natural fibers such as bagasse
and jute. The fiber is cut into as per the dimension
of the mould. The mould is then coated with wax to
avoid the resin sticking to the mould surface. The
hardener polyamine 301 is mixed with the ratio of
1:10. The prepared matrix solution was stirred
before pouring. The stirred matrix solution was
applied on the mould by using brush. Then the
fibers are arranged according to their layers in the
mould. The matrix solution should be applied to the
entire layer by using roller. The size of the mould
was 240mm x 240mm x 4mm. Then the mould has
kept in kept in compression moulding machine and
allowed to cure for 3 hours.
.

Fig.1.compression moulding

TABLE II: SPECIFICATION OF

COMPRESSION MOULDING MACHINE
Clamping Force
Platen Size [mm]
Stroke [mm]
Piston Diameter [mm]
Motor [HP]
Heating Capacity [K.W]

100 Tons
400 x 400
400
250
5
6

Fig.2. Jute Composites Fig.3 .Glass Composites Fig.4. Bagasse

Composites

IV.MECHANICAL TESTING
A.TENSILE TEST
The hybrid composite material fabricated
will be cut into required dimension using a saw
cutter. The tensile test specimen will be prepared
and tested according to the ASTM D638 standard.
The dimensions, gauge length and cross head
speeds will be chosen according to the ASTM
D638 standard. The initial gauge length should be
measured before testing. Both ends of the specimen
should be firmly gripped during testing. A tensile
test involves mounting the specimen in a machine
and subjecting it to the tension. The testing
procedure involves placing the test specimen in the
testing machine and applying tension to it until it
fractures. Stress, strain, youngs modulus, yield
strength and ultimate tensile strength can be
determined. 21 different kinds of specimens will be
prepared for tensile test.
B.FLEXURAL TEST
The flexural specimens will be prepared
and tested as per the ASTM D790 standards. The
dimensions will be chosen according to ASTM
D790 standards. The 3-point flexure test is the most
common flexural test for composite materials.
Specimen deflection will be measured by the cross
head movement indicator or by an auxiliary
deflection measuring device such as displacement
transducer. The test will be concluded when it
achieves 5% deflection or it breaks. The test results
will include flexural strength and displacement. 21
different kinds of specimens will be prepared for
flexural test.
C.IMPACT TEST
The impact test specimens will be
prepared and tested according to the ASTM D256
standards. The impact test fixes one end of a
notched specimen in a cantilever position by means
of a vice. A striker on the arm of a pendulum then
strikes the specimen. During the testing process, the
specimens will be loaded in the testing machine and

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International Journal of Research in Advanced Technology - IJORAT

Vol. 2, Issue 1, JANUARY 2016

allows the pendulum until it fracture or breaks. The

energy absorbed by the specimen in the breaking
process will be the breaking energy. Using the
impact test, the energy needed to break the material
can be measured and can be used to measure the
toughness of the material and the yield strength.
D.SHEAR TEST
The shear test specimens will be prepared
and tested according to the ASTM D3846
standards. This test is suitable for establishing the
shear strength of laminates or other reinforced
plastics
having
randomly
oriented
fiber
reinforcement. The specimen is placed in shear box
which has two stacked rings to hold the sample.
The contact between two rings is approximately the
mid height of the sample. The load is applied
vertically to the specimen and the upper ring is
pulled laterally until the sample fails. Failure of the
specimen occurs shear between two centrally
located notches machined halfway through its
thickness and will be spaced a fixed distance apart
on opposing faces.
E.COMPRESSIVE TEST
The compressive test specimens will be
prepared and tested according to ASTM D3410
standards. This test will be measured on Universal
Testing Machine. Compression test determines the
behaviour of materials under crushing load. The
specimen is placed between two compressive plates
parallel to the surface. It can be measured by
plotting force against deformation in a testing
machine. On compression, the specimen will be
shortened. The material will be tend to spread in the
lateral direction and increase the cross sectional
area. The material will be compressed and
deformed under various load. Compressive strength
and compressive modulus are the two common
values to be determined.

V.CONCLUSION
Chemical solutions have been prepared for
treating the fiber to enhance its strength. Then the
fibers have been treated with various chemical
solutions for 1 hour. Specimens have been
fabricated using compression moulding process
with various compositions. Mechanical properties
of the composites are proposed to be determined by
conducting tensile test, flexural test, shear test,
impact test, compressive test and microstructural
studies as per ASTM standards. By comparing the
above properties of the composites with various
fibers treated with different chemical solutions, the
optimal chemically treated natural fiber material to
be used along with the glass fiber in hybrid epoxy
composites will be identified and thus strength of

composite will be enhanced.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I am using this opportunity to express my
gratitude to everyone who supported me throughout
the project. I am thankful for their aspiring
guidance, invaluably constructive criticism and
friendy advice during the project work. I am
sincerely grateful to them for sharing their truthful
and illuminating views on a number of issues
related to the project. I would also like to thank to
all the people who provided me with the facilities
being required and conductive conditions for my
project.
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International Journal of Research in Advanced Technology - IJORAT

Vol. 2, Issue 1, JANUARY 2016

[9] Y.Cao,
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