Mechanical and Vibrational Property Evaluation of Banana Fiber Epoxy Sandwich Composite with Steel Wire Mesh Core

ABSTRACT

This work analyzed the mechanical and vibration characteristic of the banana fiber sandwich layer with core AISI 304 steel wire mesh (WM). The following specimen configurations were prepared by hand lay-up method by varying fiber orientation in the skin layer: S = 0/0/0/0, S1 = 0/0/WM/0/0, S2 = 0/90/WM/90/0, S3 = 0/45/WM/-45/0 and S4 = 0/30/WM/60/0. The primary mechanical properties of the sandwich composite specimens were obtained by conducting Tensile, Flexural, and Impact strengths as per ASTM standards, whereas secondary vibration characteristics by experimental modal analysis. The presence of core WM enhances the primary properties especially in S1 attributed to the 0° fiber orientation with high load carrying capacity, natural frequency (Mode I, II), and stiffness. Whereas the specimen with angular fiber orientation (S2, S3, S4) in the skin layer exhibits higher damping showcasing their ability to dissipate energy. Specimen ‘S3ʹ acts as a performance change over with 45/-45 fiber in the skin layer. Morphology study of a test of a specimen with ‘WM’ shows the participation of matrix, banana fiber, and WM in load transfer mechanism with varied failure pattern. Hence, this type of composite structure can be preferred to use in structural and automobile applications by properly orienting the fiber in the skin layer.

摘要

分析了以AISI304钢丝网为芯材的香蕉纤维夹层结构的力学和振动特性. 通过改变皮肤层中的纤维取向, 采用手糊法制备了以下试样结构:S=0/0/0/0, S1=0/0/WM/0/0, S2=0/90/WM/90/0, S3=0/45/WM/-45/0和S4=0/30/WM/60/0. 夹层复合材料试件的主要力学性能通过按ASTM标准进行拉伸, 弯曲和冲击强度测试得到, 二次振动特性通过实验模态分析得到. 芯部WM的存在提高了主要性能, 特别是在S1中, 由于0 0 0纤维取向, 具有高承载能力, 固有频率 (模式I, II) 和刚度. 然而, 表皮层中具有角纤维取向 (S2, S3, S4) 的试样表现出更高的阻尼, 显示出其耗散能量的能力. 试样“S3”的作用是在表皮层中使用45/-45纤维进行性能转换. 对具有“WM”的试件的形貌研究表明, 基体, 香蕉纤维和WM参与了不同破坏模式下的荷载传递机制. 因此, 纤维在汽车结构中的应用可以通过适当的定向来实现.

KEYWORDS:

• Sandwich composite
• banana fiber
• steel wire mesh
• mechanical testing
• modal analysis and ASTM

KEYWORDS:

• 关键词: 夹层复合材料
• 香蕉纤维
• 钢丝网
• 机械试验
• 模态分析与ASTM

Acknowledgments

Support on demand, encouragement at the needed moment, and guidance in the right direction is indispensable for the success of any project. Dr. T. Rengaraja, the esteemed Head of our Institution has been a source of motivation to all the staff and students of our college. We are so much thankful to him. Our sincere thanks to Dr. M Balasubramanian, the Head of the Department for his continuous support and motivation throughout our project.

Additional information

Funding

No financial support; we will not receive any funding from external agency