Presentation on

Estimation of Mechanical Properties of

Treated Coir Polymer Composite

Under the guidance of, Presented by,

KEERTHI GOWDA B.S. PRADEEP. M
Assistant Professor 4VZ13CSE13
Department of Structural Engineering Department of Structural Engineering
VTU-PG Studies, Mysore VTU-PG Studies, Mysore

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Contents
Introduction
General
Advantages
Literature review

Materials and Methodology

Materials
Fabrication of composite
Tensile Test
Flexure Test
Probability Distribution

Results and Discussion

Conclusion

References
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Introduction
Composites materials : Combination of 2 or more material constituents at
macroscopic level and constituents are not soluble in each other.

Components of composite material

Reinforcement and Matrix.

Classification based on reinforcement phase:

Fiber reinforced composite
Particulate reinforced composite
Laminar reinforced composite
Classification based on matrix phase:
Organic matrix composite
Metal matrix composite
Ceramic matrix composite
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Merits Of Composites:
Long life offer excellent fatigue, impact, environmental resistance.

High strength to weight ratio.

Exhibit excellent corrosion resistance and fire retardancy.

More versatile than metals so used for complex design requirements.

Less noisy in operation and provide lower vibration transmission than metals.

Tensile strength of composites is 4 to 6 times greater than that of steel or

aluminium.

30% to 40% lighter in weight.

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Literature review
Shahajan kuriakose et al (2012) study the effect of reinforcement by surface treatment
on Mechanical behavior of coir reinforced polymer composite.

Alkali treatment : Using NaOH solution for 3 hours in oven (78C)

Rough surface texture, Fibers become thin, surface becomes active.
Polyester resin, cobalt napthanate and MEKP are added at ratio of 100:1:1

Hand press method : 15 x 15 x 0.3 cm

Particulars Tensile strength(MPa) Flexural strength(MPa)

Untreated coir 40.83 41.2
Treated coir 46.83 51.46

Treated coir composite shows higher tensile, flexure strength results than
untreated coir composite.

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Rakesh Kumar et al.(2011) study the chemical changes of natural fiber to make better
machanical properties.

Reinforcing efficiency of natural fiber is depends upon the nature of cellulose and
its crystallinity.

Cellulose contains D-anhydro glucose (C6H11O5)

Hemicellulose contains group of polysaccharides.

Lignin is a complex hydrocarbon polymer with both aliphatic and

aromatic constituents.

Alkali treatment results in increment in the amount of amorphous cellulose to the

detriment of crystalline cellulose.

Treatment shows there is removal of hydrogen holding in the system structure.

Fiber-OH + NaOH Fiber-O-Na+ + H2O

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Uday et al.(2014) Study the flexural properties of coir-vinyl ester composite.

varying fiber percentages (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% by weight).

The specimens were prepared according to ASTM D 790 .
Specimen dimensions : Length : 80 x 10 x t. (thickness 3to 5 mm)

Flexural strength (MPa)

Thickness(mm) 5(%) 10(%) 15(%) 20(%) 25(%)
3 52 52 54 58 48
4 58 63 65 69 63
5 55 60 62 66 59

At 20% of coir support at 4mm thickness of polymer composite showed higher

flexural quality.
higher value due to effective bonding strength between coir and polymer matrix,
gas porosity formation is very negligible
appearance and surface finish are very good compared to all other reinforcement.

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Girisha C et al.(2012) study the effect of water absorption on mechanical properties by
varying the fiber content.

Used sisal/coir epoxy composites for the weight fraction of 20%, 30% and 40%.

Epoxy and hardener HY-951 at ratio of 10:1

Treatment of fibers with 10%NaOH solution

Cut the coir into 3cm and sisal of long fibers.

Particulars Tensile Dry Tensile Wet Water absorption(%)

(MPa) (MPa)
20% wt. 39 38 3.71
30% wt. 52 42 5.31
40% wt. 56 48 8.65
Wet samples absorb water molecules so reduces intermolecular hydrogen bonding
b/w cellulose molecule of fiber and matrix.

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Objective of the project

To study the behavior of coir polymer composite under mechanical loading.

To study the type of distribution followed by the mechanical properties of coir
polymer composites.
To estimate the range of mechanical properties of coir polymer composites.

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Materials

1.Coconut coir fiber

2.Polyester resin
3.Accelerator (Cobalt Napthanate)
4.Catalyst (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide)

Coconut Coir fiber:

Natural fiber, low price, recyclability and easy availability.
Two type of coir fibers : Brown Fiber and White Fiber
Contains cellulose 32 43 wt%,
Hemicellulose 0.15 0.25 wt %
Lignin 40 45 wt %
density of 1.14 g/cm3

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Materials
Polyester resin:
Thermosetting polymer.
Density of 1.10 g/cm3

Cobalt Naphthalene:
Transparent liquid.
Speed up chemical reaction.
Cross linking of polymer subunits at lower temperature.

Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide:

Catalysis is that the increase in the rate of a chemical action due to the
participation of a further substance known as a catalyst.
With a catalyst, reactions occur quicker and with less energy. .
Speeds up the curing of compound.
Hardening of composites in short interval of time.
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Methodology
Fiber preparation:
Coir was extracted by the process of retting and decorticating.
Washed with water for five times.
Dried at room temperature for 48 hours.
Remove the unwanted short and broken fibers.
These coir fibers were chopped into 1cm length.

Chemical modifications:
Natural fibers contain hydroxyl groups from cellulose and lignin.
immersed in 5% NaOH solution for 24 hours.
finally washed with water to remove residual alkali.
fibers were dried at room temperature for 23 days.
activate hydroxyl groups or introduce new moieties.
effectively interlock with the matrix.
increase the surface roughness.

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Methodology
Preparation of the Mould:
Frames are made up of mild steel.
Frames are fabricated to the dimension of 30.0 X 30.0 X t cm (t=thickness
ranges 0.3 to 0.6 cm)
Uniform thickness at all points is checked using digital screw gauge.
Volume of frame is calculated.

Mild steel mould

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Weight and volume fraction of fiber and matrix
Thickness Volume fraction of Weight of fiber Volume fraction Weight of resin
fiber (gm) of matrix (gm)

10% 37.80 90% 277.02

15% 56.70 85% 261.63
3mm 20% 75.60 80% 246.24
25% 94.50 75% 230.85
30% 113.10 70% 215.46
10% 50.40 90% 369.36
15% 75.60 85% 348.84
4mm 20% 100.80 80% 328.32
25% 126.00 75% 307.8
30% 151.20 70% 287.28
10% 63.00 90% 461.7
15% 94.50 85% 436.05
5mm 20% 126.00 80% 410.4
25% 157.50 75% 384.75
30% 189.00 70% 359.1
10% 75.60 90% 554.04
15% 113.40 85% 523.26
20% 151.20 80% 492.48
6mm 25% 189.00 75% 461.7
Fabrication of composite
Composite is fabricated for fiber volume fraction of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and
30%.
Coir fibers were uniformly distributed into the mould.
Mix the Polyester resin, hardener and catalyst at a ratio of 100 : 1 : 1
Place the coir distributed mould into hot compression moulding machine.
The prepared matrix is uniformly poured into the mould.
Compress the mould by hand tightening and maintain the temperature 600 C for
20 min.

Hot compression moulding machine 15

Tensile test

Specimen were according to ASTM D 3039.

Performed in computerized controlled UTM of 5 tones capacity.
A uniaxial load is applied through both the ends.
Specimens size 230 mm x 25mm x thickness.
Specimens were tested with a strain speed of 3 mm/min.
Tensile Strength= P/(b*t)

Tensile test specimen

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Tensile test

Universal testing machine Tensile test specimen 17

Flexural test
Specimen were according to ASTM D 7264.

Performed in computerized controlled UTM of 5 tones capacity

Specimens were tested with a strain speed of 3 mm/min.

Test specimen grip length is consider as 20% of span length and span length is taken
as 20 times of thickness.

Thickness Span Grip Width Total length

(mm) length length (mm) (mm)
(mm) (mm) [span+grip]

2 40 8 13 48
3 60 12 13 72
4 80 16 13 96
5 100 20 13 120
6 120 24 13 144

Flexure test specimen 18

Flexural test

Flexure test specimen Flexure test specimen

Universal testing machine
before testing after testing
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Probability distribution

Probabilistic analysis treats all input parameters as variables that change

according to an assigned probability distribution function.

The probability distribution predicts the behavior of an input parameter over a

range of potential input parameter values.

Monte-Carlo simulation: The value of a distributed parameter is selected by the

generation of a random number, with the probability of a given value being
determined by the association of random numbers to that variable

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Tensile test Results

Fiber % Thickness (mm) Ultimate Load (KN) Tensile Strength (MPa)

10 3 1.59 21.200
15 3 1.42 18.933
20 3 1.38 18.400
25 3 1.46 19.467
30 3 1.98 26.400
10 4 0.84 8.400
15 4 1.43 14.300
20 4 1.62 16.200
25 4 1.43 14.300
30 4 0.8 8.000
10 5 2.39 19.120
15 5 2.43 19.440
20 5 3.39 27.120
25 5 1.84 14.720
30 5 1.78 14.240
10 6 1.62 10.800
15 6 2.23 14.867
20 6 2.58 17.200
25 6 2.98 19.867
Flexural test Results
Length (mm) Thickness (mm) Load (KN) Flexural Strength (MPa)
Fiber (%)
10 60 3 0.11 84.615
15 60 3 0.11 84.615
20 60 3 0.11 84.615
25 60 3 0.15 115.384
30 60 3 0.06 46.153
10 80 4 0.25 144.230
15 80 4 0.26 150.000
20 80 4 0.27 155.769
25 80 4 0.29 167.307
30 80 4 0.33 190.384
10 100 5 0.27 124.615
15 100 5 0.28 129.230
20 100 5 0.29 133.846
25 100 5 0.29 133.846
30 100 5 0.26 120.000
10 120 6 0.14 53.846
15 120 6 0.31 119.230
20 120 6 0.38 146.153
25 120 6 0.32 123.076
30 120 6 0.34 130.769
Conclusion
Tensile and flexure strength: higher value b/w 15 % to 25% fiber volume fractions.
Some specimen shows abnormal behavior during testing.
Distribution fallow : Normal distribution.
Probabilistic analysis helps : Select desired composite specimen based on strength.
Sl. Thickness Strength Designation Range of Probability Followed
No. tensile distribution
(mm) (%)
strength

(MPa)
Tensile strength Treated coir-30% FVF 23.2 to 29 97.025
1 3
Flexural strength Treated coir-25% FVF 88.8 to 145 90.327

Tensile strength Treated coir-20% FVF 14 to 18.5 97.690

2 4 Normal
Flexural strength Treated coir-30% FVF 150 to 225 91.883
Distribution
Tensile strength Treated coir-20% FVF 24 to 29.5 96.875
3 5
Flexural strength Treated coir-25% FVF 116 to 164.5 91.737

Tensile strength Treated coir-25% FVF 17 to 22.5 96.174

4 6
Flexural strength Treated coir-20% FVF 120 to 170 91.928
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References
[1] D. Verma, P.C. Gope, A. Shandilya, A. Gupta, M.K. Maheshwari. Coir Fibre Reinforcement
and Application in Polymer Composites, J.Mater. Environ Science 4 (2013) PP 263-276

[2] M.Sakthivel, S.Ramesh. Mechanical properties of natural fibre (banana, coir, sisal) polymer
composites, science park issn: 2321 8045, vol-1, issue-1,(2013)

[3] P N E Naveen, M Yasaswi. Experimental analysis of coir-fiber reinforced polymer composite

materials. International Journal, Mech. Eng. & Rob. Res. (2013)

[4] Morsyleide F. Rosa, Borsen Chiou, Eliton S. Medeiros, Delilah F. Wood, Tina G. Williams,
Luiz H.C. Mattoso, William J. Orts, Syed H. Imam. Effect of ber treatments on tensile and
thermal properties of starch/ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers/coir biocomposites, Bioresource
Technology 100 (2009) PP 51965202

[5] G.M Arifuzzaman. Thermal characterization of chemically treated coconut husk fibre- Indian
journal of fibre and textile research, volume 37, (2012), PP 20-26
[6] Girisha.C,. Sisal/Coconut Coir Natural Fibers EpoxyvComposites: Water Absorption and
Mechanical Properties, International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)
Volume 2, Issue 3, (2012)
[7] D.Senthilnathan. Characterization of glass fibre-coconut coir-human hair hybrid composites,
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International journal of engineering and technology, volume 6, (2012)
References(conti.)
[8] A. Z Ahmad Mujahid1, M.A., Nurullia, Norashida. Experimental modal analysis (ema) on
coconut coir fibre reinforced composite, Global Engineers & Technologist Review, Vol. 1 No.1 (2011)

9] I.Z.Bujang, study on the dynamic characteristic of coconut fibre reinforced composites. Regional
Conference on Engineering Mathematics, Mechanics, Manufacturing & Architecture (2007)

[10] Dr. Shajan Kuriakose, . Mechanical Behavior of Coir reinforced Polyester CompositesAn
Experimental Investigation. International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Volume 2, Issue 12, (2012)

[11] Chan Wen Shan, Study Of Flexible Polyurethane Foams Reinforced With Coir Fibres and Tyre
Particles. International Journal of Applied Physics And Mathematics, Vol. 2, No. 2, (2012)

[12] Pakanita Muensri. Effect of lignin removal on the properties of coconut coir fibre/wheat gluten
biocomposite, ELSEVIER, composite part A 42-(2011) PP 173-179

[13] Emunuel M.Fernandes. Novel cork-polymer composites reinforced with short natural coconut fobres:
effect of fibre leading and coupling agent addition. Composite science and technology 78 (2013) PP 56-63

[14] D. Chandramohan & K. Marimuthu. A Review On Natural Fibers. IJRRAS 8 (2) (2011)

[15] Belas Ahmed Khan. Uses Of Coir Fibre, Its Products &Implementation Of Geo-Coir In Bangladesh.
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Daffodil International University Journal Of Science And Technology, Volume 2, Issue 2, (2007)
Thank You

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