Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Emu Feather Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 5, Issue 6, June 2015)

386

Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Emu Feather Fiber

Reinforced Epoxy Composites

V.Chandra sekhar

1

, Dr.V.Pandurangadu

2

, Dr.T.Subba rao

3

,

1

Asso. Prof., Dept of Mechanical Engineering, RGMCET, Nandyal, 518501. Andhra Pradesh. 2_{Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, JNT University, Anantapur. 515002}_.

3

Professor, Department of Physics SK University. Anantapur. 515002. Andhra Pradesh.

Abstract—A composite is usually made up of at least two materials out of which one is binding material called matrix and the other is a reinforcement material known as fiber. The composite materials were prepared with feathers of ‘Emu’ bird as fibers and Epoxy as resin. The specimens were prepared with varied percentage weight of fiber and length of fiber. The feathers were treated with Alkali (NaOH) solution and soap water before using. The composite specimens were prepared and cured as per ASTM standards. The mechanical properties such as Tensile strength (TS), Flexural strength (FS), and Impact strength (IS) were investigated. The result shows increases in the impact strength and decrease in tensile and flexural strengths with increase of emu feather fiber.

Keywords -- Matrix, feather fibers of ‘emu’ bird, epoxy resin, composite, flexural strength, tensile strength, impact strength.

I. INTRODUCTION

Composite materials are produced by combining two dissimilar materials into a new material that may be better suited for a specific application than the individual material alone [1,2]. Important characteristics of composites are

their strength, hardness, rigid, light in weight,

environmental sustainability and biodegradability. They provide the required strength for all structures such as buildings, ships in combination with low weight. Due to high stiffness, the fiber composites have various structural applications. The composite materials are highly chemical resistant. Many composites are being manufactured at a lower cost compared to other materials such as steel and concrete.

Natural fibers become attractive to researchers due to their wide availability, low cost, lightweight and environmentally degradable [3,4,5]. Plant fibers consist of cellulose while animal fibers consist of proteins [6]. The Studies reveals that the final properties of composites depend upon the properties of fiber and the interfacial bonding of fiber and matrix. The chemical bonding plays important role between the matrix and the fiber. Reports on composites using bird feathers as reinforcing fibers are rare [7].

A notable disadvantage of natural fibers is their polarity which makes it incompatible with hydrophobic matrix [8]. Many physical and chemical methods were developed to improve the bonding between the natural animal feathers and matrix material. Chemical treatment method of natural fibers was explained by [9].These methods make the feathers free from moisture and impurities. These methods affect the bonding of fiber and matrix. The Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the largest bird native to Australia and the only extant member of the genus Dromaius. It is also the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. There are three extant subspecies of Emus in Australia. In the present work emu feathers were selected as fibers because, Emu Chicken feathers are waste products of the poultry industry. Billions of kilograms of waste feathers are generated each year by poultry processing plants, creating a serious solid waste problem. The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of length and percentage weight of feather on mechanical properties of epoxy polymer composites.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Materials

The matrix material, used for the fabrication of ‗Emu‘ feather fiber reinforced composites consists of low temperature curing epoxy resin (Araldite LY556) and corresponding hardener (Primary amine HY951)

B. Extraction of Fibers

The ‗Emu‘ feather fiber collected from the local area, is washed several times with water then soaked in 5% of NaOH concentrated water for 30 minutes. The soaked feathers then washed with detergent water followed by pure water and then is dried in sun rays. A clean fiber free from dirt and impurities are obtained.

C. Preparation of composites

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To prepare the composite specimens, these fibers in pre determined weight proportion and length (maximum of 05%, & 5 cm) are reinforced into the epoxy resin. Blocks of size (200mmX20mmX3mm) for tensile, (127mm x 13mm x 3mm) for flexural, (65mm x 13mm x 3mm) for impact test were cast with hand layup technique in a rubber mould.

Initially, the rubber mould is gently cleansed and is set free from moisture and dirt. Later a thin layer of wax is applied on inner walls of the mould along with its base plate, for easy removal of cast after curing.

After wax is applied, the proportionate mixture of resin and hardener (10:1 by weight percentage) is taken and is poured into the mould to form a uniform layer and later fiber was taken and is placed with uniform spacing. After the fiber gets wet on early layer of matrix, another layer of resin and hardener mixture is poured over it until desired thickness is obtained. In the present work, only one layer of fiber is layed because of thin slab thickness. The specimens were prepared by varying the fiber length from 1 to 5 cm and percentage weight of fiber from 1 to 5 percent.

D. Curing

[image:2.612.336.552.294.483.2]

The specimens thus prepared were put under load for about 24 hours for proper curing at room temperature. After this, the specimens were removed from the moulds and cured further at a constant temperature of upto 70oC for 3 hours. One of the specimens thus prepared is as shown in figure 1. A magnified segment of the specimen with 5 cm length of fiber is presented in figure 2.

[image:2.612.64.272.485.524.2]

Figure 1. Sample Specimen of ‘Emu’ Fiber Epoxy Composite with 2% fiber and 1 cm length of fiber

Figure 2. Magnified segment of the specimen with 5 cm length of fiber

III. TESTS PERFORMED

The fabricated specimens of suitable dimensions are subjected to physical characterization. On these fabricated specimens, the Tensile strength test, Flexural strength test, Impact strength tests were conducted. The details of the tests conducted are presented here under.

1) Tensile strength test: The tensile test is performed on a flat specimens following ASTM test standard ASTMD 638 in the universal testing machine. The test speed was

maintained 5mm/min. at a temperature of 22oC and

[image:2.612.326.559.529.680.2]

humidity 50%. In each case three samples were taken and the average values were reported. Some of the specimens for tensile test are as shown in figure 3.

Figure 3. Some of the specimens for tensile test

2) Flexural strength test: Sample specimens prepared for Flexural test are shown in figure 4.

[image:2.612.78.259.561.649.2]

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Flexural strength was determined by the equipment as per ASTMD790 procedure. The test speed was maintained 5mm/min. at a temperature of 22°C and humidity 50%. The load applied and the corresponding deflection, were recorded. Flexural strength is calculated using the following Eq.1.

Flexural strength = 3FL . . . (Eq.1)

2bh2 Where F = Load applied in Newtons

b = Width of the specimen in mm L = Length of specimen in mm h = Thickness of the specimen in mm

Flexural Modulus is calculated using the following formula (Eq.2).

Flexural Modulus = L

3 x δF

. . (Eq.2) 4 x bh3 x δf

Where δF = Load applied in Newtons L = Length in mm

δf = Deflection in mm

b = Width of the specimen in mm h = Thickness of the specimen in mm

In each case three samples were taken and the average values were considered.

[image:3.612.327.562.210.433.2]

3) Impact strength test: Impact strength of un notched specimen was determined using an izod - impact tester according to ASTM D 256 strands. In each case three samples were taken and the average values were considered. Some of the samples prepared for Impact test are as shown in figure 5.

Figure 5. Sample Specimens for Impact test

IV. RESULTS

A. Tensile test results

[image:3.612.325.564.467.604.2]

The mean values of tensile strength for the deferent combinations of percentage weight of fiber and length of fiber are as presented in table 1.

Table 1.

Tensile strength (TS) for various weight percentage of fiber and length of fiber

Sl.

No. Title

Tensile strength

(Mpa)

Sl.

No. Title

Tensile strength

(Mpa)

1 1-1-T 28.28 14 3-4-T 22.79

2 1-2-T 27.37 15 3-5-T 22.31

3 1-3-T 26.95 16 4-1-T 22.21

4 1-4-T 26.11 17 4-2-T 21.81

5 1-5-T 25.34 18 4-3-T 21.63

6 2-1-T 24.57 19 4-4-T 21.53

7 2-2-T 24.65 20 4-5-T 21.40

8 2-3-T 24.08 21 5-1-T 21.00

9 2-4-T 23.94 22 5-2-T 20.63

10 2-5-T 23.81 23 5-3-T 20.28

11 3-1-T 23.64 24 5-4-T 19.64

12 3-2-T 23.08 25 5-5-T 19.30

13 3-3-T 22.74 26 Epoxy 29.72

[image:3.612.54.279.512.669.2]

A graphical representation of the above test results is as shown in figure 6.

Figure 6. Graphical representation of tensile test results

B. Flexural strength results

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Table 2. Details of Flexural strength (FS) and Flexural Modulus (FM) for various weight percentage of fiber loading and length of fiber

S.

No Title

Flexural Strength (FS) in Mpa

Flexural Modulus (FM) in Mpa 1 1-1-F 21.88 1335.7 2 1-2-F 21.27 1257.43 3 1-3-F 21.12 1182.2 4 1-4-F 21.3 1063.87 5 1-5-F 20.67 937.86 6 2-1-F 16.98 1175.96 7 2-2-F 16.72 1093.39 8 2-3-F 15.99 1028.39 9 2-4-F 17.12 947.72 10 2-5-F 16.48 848.03 11 3-1-F 19.48 1045.33 12 3-2-F 18.4 976.13 13 3-3-F 18.55 925.94 14 3-4-F 18.53 813.91 15 3-5-F 17.67 757.96 16 4-1-F 16.98 1010.85 17 4-2-F 16.72 929.83 18 4-3-F 15.99 852.6 19 4-4-F 17.12 778.05 20 4-5-F 16.48 701.46 21 5-1-F 15.87 913.82 22 5-2-F 15.66 832.03 23 5-3-F 14.63 795.26 24 5-4-F 14.74 735.49 25 5-5-F 14.03 645.02 26 Epoxy 22.40 1394.84

[image:4.612.327.564.141.266.2]

A graphical representation of the Flexural strength values and Flexural Modulus are as shown in figure 7& 8 respectively.

Figure 7. Graphical representation of Flexural strength

Figure 8. Graphical representation of Flexural Modulus

C. Impact strength results

[image:4.612.52.286.176.489.2]

The details of Impact strength (IS) for deferent combinations of percentage weight of fiber and length of fiber are presented in table 3.

Table 3.

Impact strength for the deferent combinations of percentage weight of fiber and length of fiber

Sl.

No. Title

Impact strength (IS) in J/m

Sl.

No. Title

Impact strength (IS) in J/m 1 1-1-I 106.22 14 3-4-I 155.56 2 1-2-I 112.78 15 3-5-I 184.56 3 1-3-I 127.22 16 4-1-I 128.56 4 1-4-I 136.11 17 4-2-I 142.00 5 1-5-I 145.89 18 4-3-I 171.00 6 2-1-I 113.33 19 4-4-I 194.67 7 2-2-I 120.67 20 4-5-I 203.56 8 2-3-I 133.22 21 5-1-I 135.89 9 2-4-I 149.67 22 5-2-I 159.33 10 2-5-I 174.44 23 5-3-I 187.89 11 3-1-I 116.89 24 5-4-I 210.67 12 3-2-I 125.33 25 5-5-I 221.44 13 3-3-I 138.44 26 Epoxy 103.33

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Figure 9. Graphical representation of Impact test results

V. CONCLUSIONS

The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus and impact strength were tested for the ‗Emu' Fiber Epoxy Composite materials. The tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus are decreasing with increase in fiber loading and fiber length. The impact strength was increasing with increase in fiber loading and fiber length. Percentage of fiber loading plays much important role than the length of the fiber on mechanical properties of the emu feather epoxy composites.

From the fig.6 the prepared emu feather fiber epoxy composites have maximum tensile strength of 28.28 MPa at one percent one centimeter length of fiber and a minimum of 19.30MPa for 5 percent 5 centimeter length of fiber.

Nearly 31.75 percentage drop in tensile strength was observed by introducing the emu feather fiber.

The decline in tensile strength is due to the following reasons. One possibility is that due to the presence of pores present in the matrix which were formed during manufacturing: the other is due to non circularity of fiber may results in stress concentration. The decrease in the tensile strength may also be attributed due the improper interfacial bonding between the fiber and the matrix due to the protein present on the surface of the feathers.

The prepared emu feather fiber epoxy composites have maximum flexural strength of 21.88 MPa at one percent one centimeter length of fiber and a minimum of 14.03 MPa for 5 percent 5 centimeter fiber length.

Nearly 35.87 percentage drop in flexural strength was observed by introducing the emu feather fiber. Bird feathers have β keratin. Feathers have intrinsic flexibility of proteins. Due to the flexible nature of feathers [10,11,12], when they were reinforced into pure epoxy the flexural strength and flexural modulus are decreasing with increase in fiber loading and fiber length.

The prepared emu feather fiber epoxy composites have maximum flexural modulus of 1335.70 MPa at one percent one centimeter length of fiber and a minimum of 645.02 MPa for 5 percent 5 centimeter length of fiber.

Nearly 51.70 percentage drop in flexural strength was observed by introducing the emu feather fiber. The prepared emu feather fiber epoxy composites have minimum impact strength of 106.22J/m at one percent one centimeter length of fiber and a maximum of 221.44 J/m for 5 percent 5 centimeter length of fiber. Nearly 108.47 percentage increase in impact strength was observed by introducing the emu feather fiber.

Epoxy is a brittle material. The brittle materials will break directly without any deformation when load is applied on it. Due to the presence of feather, feather reinforced epoxy composites will undergo deformation before fracture when load is applied on it. Due to this property they can absorb more load, as a result impact strength is increasing.

When the reinforcement fiber is flexible in nature it acts as a toughening agent. One can expect increase in impact strength when we use flexible fiber as reinforcement. Naturally the pure epoxy is brittle in nature. By addition of flexible fibers like feathers makes the brittle materials in to toughening materials. A similar trend has been observed when chicken feather fibers were reinforced in vinyl ester and polyester resins by Uzan et al. [13]

Acknowledgements:

The author expresses sincere thanks to Prof. A. Varadarajulu, Department of physics, Osmania university, Hyderabad for his valuable guidance.

Also expresses sincere thanks to Sri. A.Venkata ramana, Rtd. Asst. Executive Engineer, TBPHLC, Anantapur for his endless support.

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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

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[11] Kannappan Saravanan, Exploration on Amino Acid Content and Morphological Structure in Chicken Feather Fiber,Journal of textile and apparel technology and management, Vol.7, Issue 3,spring 2012 [12] Ana Laura Martinez—Hernandez and Carlos Velasco-Santos,