Effect of Agro-waste Microcoir Pith and Nano-alumina Reinforcement on Thermal Degradation and Dynamic Mechanical Behavior of Polyester Composites

ABSTRACT

This article presents the modest method to prepare multiphase composites using the coconut by-product known as coir pith and investigates the mechanical, thermal properties and surface morphology of the hybrid coir pith/nano alumina filler-reinforced polyester composites. The hybrid filler used in this study is naturally available microcoir pith and inorganic nano alumina. The coir pith is an organic waste which can be extracted from the surface of the coconut shell. The polyester composites with three different filler concentrations, namely, C1A1, C2A2 and C3A3 have been fabricated to study the properties variation. The objective of this work is, enhancing the thermal and mechanical properties of a polyester composite material by reinforcing the waste natural resources. The mechanical properties of the samples were assessed using tensile, flexural and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) testing, further the thermal stability of samples have been studied using the thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The 6.5% increase in storage modulus (E’) of the C1A1 composite is found, this indicates the improvement of interfacial bonding between the matrix and fillers. Compared to neat polyester, C1A1 and C2A2 composites showed 25.1% and 18.6% higher tensile strength respectively. The fractured surface morphology was studied using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM).

摘要

本文介绍了用椰糠副产品制备多相复合材料的一般方法，并对椰糠/纳米氧化铝填充增强聚酯复合材料的力学性能、热性能和表面形貌进行了研究.本研究所使用的混合填料是天然微椰壳髓和无机纳米氧化铝.椰子皮是一种可以从椰子壳表面提取的有机废物.制备了三种不同填料浓度（C1A1、C2A2和C3A3）的聚酯复合材料，研究了其性能变化.这项工作的目的是通过加强废弃自然资源来提高聚酯复合材料的热性能和力学性能.采用拉伸、弯曲和动态力学分析（DMA）试验对试样的力学性能进行了评价，并用热重分析仪（TGA）对试样的热稳定性进行了研究.发现C1A1复合材料的储能模量（E’）增加了6.5%，这表明基体与填料之间的界面结合有所改善.与纯聚酯相比，C1A1和C2A2复合材料的拉伸强度分别提高了25.1%和18.6%.采用场发射扫描电镜（FESEM）研究了断裂表面形貌.

KEYWORDS:

• Agro-waste
• thermal stability
• mechanical characterization
• hybrid filler
• multiphase composites

关键词:

• 农业废物
• 椰子皮
• 热稳定性
• 机械特性
• 混合填料
• 多相复合材料

Acknowledgments

I would like to express deep gratitude to my colleagues Mr. K. S. Kishor Bharadwaj and Mr. Nishant Gandhi for their encouragement and gracious support.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

N. B. Karthik Babu

N. B. Karthik Babu obtained his B.E. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University, Chennai in 2010 and M.E. degree in Engineering Design from Anna University, Chennai in 2013. He is currently a PhD student at the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. His PhD work focuses on Performance improvement of PMCs using Natural Fibers. In addition, he also studies epoxy composites for microelectronics applications.

S. Muthukumaran

Dr. S. Muthukumaran working as an Assistant Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering at University College of Engineering Panruti.

T. Ramesh

Dr. T. Ramesh is currently working as an Associate Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering at National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. His research is focused on MEMS devices and its applications. He have published more than 30 international journals and having more than 15 years of teaching experience.

S. Arokiasamy

S. Arokiasamy as an Assistant Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering at University College of Engineering Panruti.