International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016
ISSN 2319 - 4847
Investigation of Mechanical Behavior of Water
Hyacinth Fiber / Polyester with Aluminium
Powder Composites
R G Padmanabhan1, N Arun2, S. Kolli Bala Sivarama Reddy3
1
Assistant Professor, Automobile Engineering Department, Arasu Engineering College, TamilNadu, India
2
Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, SRM University, TamilNadu, India
3
Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, SRM University, TamilNadu, India
ABSTRACT
The development of high performance composites from a cheap natural fiber, such as water hyacinth is particularly beneficial
from an economic point of view. Remarkable, thermosetting resins such as polyester are used widely as a composite matrix due
to polyester resins present a good dimensional stability, and good mechanical properties. For the 7 various weight ratio of
composites from water hyacinth fiber, aluminium powder and polyester resin were prepared by using solution impregnation
and hot curing methods. From this, sample 3 (30% Water hyacinth natural fiber and 70% polyester resin) and 5 (20% Water
hyacinth NF, 5% aluminium powder and 75% polyester resin) are the best compositions. The applications of these materials
require a sustainable approach to creating green products. Knowing that natural fibers are cheap and have a better stiffness per
weight than glass, which results in lighter components, the grown interest in natural fibers is clear.
Keywords: Water hyacinth fiber, polyester resin, natural fibers, solution impregnation hot curing, Aluminium powder.
1. INTRODUCTION
A composite is combination of two materials in which one of the materials, called the reinforcing phase, is in the form
of fibers, sheets, or particles, and is embedded in the other materials called the matrix phase. The reinforcing material
and the matrix material can be metal, ceramic, or polymer. Composites typically have a fiber or particle phase that is
stiffer and stronger than the continuous matrix phase and serve as the principal load carrying members. The matrix acts
as a load transfer medium between fibers, and in less ideal cases where the loads are complex, the matrix may even
have to bear loads transverse to the fiber axis. The matrix is more ductile than the fibers and thus acts as a source of
composite toughness. The matrix also serves to protect the fibers from environmental damage before, during and after
composite processing. When designed properly, the new combined material exhibits better strength than would each
individual material. Composites are used not only for their structural properties, but also for electrical, thermal,
tribological and environmental applications.
2. RAW MATERIAL
2.1 Water hyacinth
It is a free-floating perennial aquatic plant native to tropical and sub-tropical South America. With broad, thick, glossy,
ovate leaves, water hyacinth may rise above the surface of the water as much as 1 meter in height. The leaves are 10–20
cm across, and float above the water surface. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds each year, and these seeds can
remain viable for more than 28 years. Some water hyacinths were found to grow up to 2 to 5 meters a day in some sites
in Southeast Asia. The common water hyacinth is vigorous growers known to double their population in two weeks.
2.2 Polyester resin
Generally polyester resins can be made by a dibasic organic acid and a dihydric alcohol. They can be classified as
saturated polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate, and unsaturated polyester. To form the network of the
composite matrix, the unsaturated group or double bond needs to exist in a portion of the dibasic acid. The addition of
catalyst will cause the resin to cure. The most frequently used catalyst is methyl ethyl ketone peroxide or benzoyl
peroxide and the amount varies from 1-2%. The catalyst will decompose in the presence of the polyester resin to form
free radicals, which will attack the unsaturated groups to initiate the polymerization. The processing temperature and
the amount of the catalyst can control the rate of polymerization, the higher temperature or the more the catalyst, the
faster the reaction. After the resin turned from liquid to brittle solid, post cure at higher temperature may need to be
Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016
Page 56
International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016
ISSN 2319 - 4847
done.
2.3 Aluminium Powder
Aluminium is remarkable for the metal's low density and for its ability to resist corrosion due to the phenomenon of
passivation. Structural components made from aluminium and its alloys are vital to the aerospace industry and are
important in other areas of transportation and structural materials. The most useful compounds of aluminium, at least
on a weight basis, are the oxides and sulfates.
3. FABRICATION OF COMPOSITE FIBER
3.1 Sample Preparation Technique
The water hyacinth plant is taken from the lake. The stem (fiber part) is separated and allowed to dry in the sun light
for 3 - 4 hours as shown in fig - 1. The dried fiber were crushed to powder as shown in fig -2. Then the natural fiber
and resin were taken based on the volume percentage. The Fiber and resin were mixed by using glass rod in a bowl
based on volume. The accelerator (cobalt naphthalene) and the catalyst (methyl ethyl ketone peroxide) were added to
the resin.
Figure 1 - Drying NF
Figure 2 – Powder of Water Hyacinth fiber
3.2 Calculation of sample preparation
For the preparation of the composite we calculate the percentage of fibers and polymer required. From the Table 3.1
we come to know about the amounts accurately.
Table 1 - Concentration of Sample Preparation
Sample
No.
Water hyacinth fiber
(volume)%
Metal matrix
(volume)%
Polyester resin
(volume)%
1
0
0
100
2
20
0
80
3
30
0
70
4
40
0
60
5
20
5
75
6
30
5
65
7
40
5
55
3.3 Mould Preparation
First of all the mould for the composite is prepared. We have to prepare mould of size 600x250x2.5 mm for the
preparation of required composite.
3.4 Cutting of Test Specimen To As Per ASTM Standards
Water jet cutting machine is used for cutting the composite sheet, for various experiments: refer Fig. 3 for the final
composite sheet after water jet cutting.
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Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016
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i. Tensile test - dog bone shape 166 x 22 x 2.5mm (ASTM D 3039).
ii. Flexural test - 100 x 14 x 2.5mm (ASTM D 790).
iii. Impact test - 67 x 14 x 2.5 mm (ASTM D 256).
Figure 3 - Composite sheet after water jet cutting
4. TESTING PROCEDURE
4.1 Tensile Test
The tensile strength of a material is the maximum amount of tensile stress that it can take before failure. The
commonly used specimen for tensile test is the dog-bone type. During the test a uniaxial load is applied through both
the ends of the specimen. When testing a material include ultimate tensile strength or peak stress offset yield strength
which represents a point just beyond the onset of permanent deformation and the rupture or fracture point where the
specimen separates into pieces. The tensile test is performed in the universal testing machine and results. Ref fig. 5.
Figure 5 - Broken Samples after Tensile Test
4.2 Flexural test
The flexure test method measures behavior of materials subjected to simple beam loading. Refer Fig.6 for flexural
testing machine. Most commonly the specimen lies on a support span and the load is applied to the center by the
loading nose producing three point bending at a specified rate. The test was carried out as per the ASTM standard
D785 procedure. Refer Fig.7 for broken samples after flexural test.
Figure 6 - Flexural Testing
Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016
Figure 7 - Broken Samples
Page 58
International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016
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4.3 Impact test
The impact test is a method for evaluating the toughness and notch sensitivity of engineering materials. It is usually
used to test the toughness of metals, but similar tests are used for polymers, ceramics and composites. Izod Impact test
specimen is machined to a square or round section, with either one, two or three notches. The specimen is clamped
vertically on the anvil with the notch facing the Hammer. Refer Fig. 8 and 9 for impact testing machine and broken
samples after impact test.
Figure 8 - Impact Testing
Figure 9 - Broken Samples
5. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Tensile Test
The Tensile test for 7 samples has been conducted and the resulting Graphs for Load Vs Displacement and Stress Vs
Strain are shown below.
Table 2 - Tensile test results
Sample No.
Cs Area mm²
Peak load KN
Elongation %
UTS N/mm²
1
31.577
0.330
3.50
10
2
30.199
0.370
4.00
12
3
31.557
0.335
3.667
11
4
28.842
0.335
7.00
12
5
24.624
0.575
6.167
23
6
30.238
0.360
4.33
12
7
39.996
0.720
5.833
18
Figure 10 - Bar Graph for Tensile Test
Sample no 5 - (20% Water hyacinth NF, 5% aluminium powder and 75% polyester resin) attain the max tensile
strength (23 N/mm2).
Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016
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International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016
ISSN 2319 - 4847
5.2 Flexural Test
Flexural test was also carried out on UTM machine in accordance with ASTM D790 standard. All the specimens were
cut into (130x13x2.5)mm. The results are tabulated in the Table 3.
Table 3 – Flexural test results
Sample number
Cs Area (mm²)
Peak
(N)
1
25.775
2
Load
Flexural strength
(MPa)
Flexural
modulus (GPa)
40
68.573
12.355
20.734
30
51.428
8.471
3
33.693
50
85.714
14.652
4
20.713
25
42.857
6.349
5
21.598
35
59.990
8.510
6
25.969
25
42.800
4.264
7
30.440
45
77.140
6.949
Figure 11 - Bar Graph for Flexural Test
From fig 11 - bar chart, Sample no 3 (30% Water hyacinth natural fiber and 70% polyester resin) attain the
maximum flexural strength (85.714 MPa).
5.3 Impact Test
Impact test is carried out in IZOD method using impact test machine. Refer Table 4.3 for the impact value in joules.
Table 4 - Impact test result
Sample number
Impact value (joules)
1
2
3
4
5
6
0.05
0.05
0.10
0.05
0.10
0.05
7
0.05
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International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016
ISSN 2319 - 4847
Figure 12 - Bar Graph for Impact Test
Sample no 3 (30% Water hyacinth natural fiber and 70% polyester resin) attain the maximum hardness (0.10 J).
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AUTHOR
R.G.Padmanabhan received the B.E. Degree - Production Engineering from J.J.C.E.T affiliated to Anna
University, Chennai in 2008 and M.E. degrees in Manufacturing Technology from PRIST University,
Thanjavur in 2012, respectively. During 2012 - 2015, he worked in SRM University, Chennai as Asst.
Professor in Mechanical Engineering. I am working in the field of Natural fiber composites with various
manufacturing techniques.
Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016
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International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 5, Issue 2, February 2016
ISSN 2319 - 4847
N.Arun received the B.E. Degree - Mechanical Engineering from P.G.P College of Engineering
and Technology, Namakkal affiliated to Anna University, Chennai and M.E. degrees in CAD /
CAM from Central Institute Of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET), Chennai in 2012,
respectively. During 2012 - Till Date, he worked in SRM University, Chennai as Asst. Professor in
Mechanical Engineering.
S. Kollibala Siva Rama Reddy received the B.E. Degree - Mechanical Engineering from Bharat
University, Chennai in 2007 and M.E. degrees in Engineering Design from Anna University,
Chennai in 2012, respectively. During 2012 - Till Date, he worked in SRM University, Chennai as
Asst. Professor in Mechanical Engineering.
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