Influence of Gamma Radiation on Mechanical Properties of Jute Fabric-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Preparation and characterization of short date palm mat (DPM) fiber reinforced polystyrene composites: Effect of gamma radiation

The utilization of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites is growing fast in numerous sectors. In this study, the effect of the addition of short date palm mat (DPM) fibers in polystyrene matrix on the physico-mechanical and thermal properties were studied. Short DPM fiber reinforced polystyrene composites were produced by compression moulding process and the fiber content was 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 wt%. Physico-mechanical and thermal properties were examined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis of the composites were also done. The findings from the investigates exposed that the composites with 10 % fiber content showed improved mechanical and thermal characteristics as compared to other composites. The morphological analysis also supported the results where good interfacial bonding among fiber and polystyrene matrix was found for the composites with 10 % fiber content. The optimized (10 % fiber content) composites were exposed to gamma radiation (2.5-7.5 kGy) and the best result was found at 5.0 kGy radiation dose. Degradation of gamma irradiated composites was conducted in four different media such as water, acid, base, and brine.

Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical and Physical Properties of Glass/Jute Hybrid Laminates

Natural fibres have been partly substituting synthetic fibres in polymer composites due to their renewable character and many other advantages, and sometimes, they can be hybridized into a single composite for a better combination of properties. This work aims to study the effect of hybridization and stacking sequence on the mechanical and physical properties of the glass/jute laminates. For that, pure jute, pure glass and glass/jute hybrids were manufactured by vacuum infusion process using orthophthalic polyester resin. The composites were characterized via C-scan analysis, density, volume fraction of constituents and optical microscopy analyses. Mechanical properties were obtained from tensile, compression and shear tests. The longitudinal properties were higher than transverse properties for all laminates. The hybrids presented intermediate density and mechanical properties compared to pure glass and pure jute laminates. The hybrids produced similar density and tensile modulus, but with small differences in tensile strength and compressive strength which were justified based on variations in resin and void content due to the influence of the stacking sequence (glass/jute interlayer regions). In addition, the pure glass and the hybrid laminates displayed acceptable failure morphology in the in-plane shear test, but not the pure jute laminate.

Techniques for Modelling and Optimizing the Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Composites: A Review

The study of natural fiber-based composites through the use of computational techniques for modelling and optimizing their properties has emerged as a fast-growing approach in recent years. Ecological concerns associated with synthetic fibers have made the utilisation of natural fibers as a reinforcing material in composites a popular approach. Computational techniques have become an important tool in the hands of many researchers to model and analyze the characteristics that influence the mechanical properties of natural fiber composites. This recent trend has led to the development of many advanced computational techniques and software for a profound understanding of the characteristics and performance behavior of composite materials reinforced with natural fibers. The large variations in the characteristics of natural fiber-based composites present a great challenge, which has led to the development of many computational techniques for composite materials analysis. This review seeks to infer, from conventional to contemporary sources, the computational techniques used in modelling, analyzing, and optimizing the mechanical characteristics of natural fiber reinforced composite materials.