Experimental Investigation on Impact Resistance Behavior of Woven Sisal Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composite
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Date
2020-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites (NFRPC) has been used in many applications.
These natural fiber reinforced polymer are capable of absorbing impact energy and dissipating it
by different failure modes when they are subjected to low velocity impacts. The impact load on
NFRPC materials can create internal damage, which significantly reduces their structural
strength, and this phenomenon remains a major concern for structural components. Woven
natural fiber reinforced plastic composites have better tensile, flexural, compressive strength
because of the interlacing of fiber bundles than the mechanical properties of unidirectional and
short randomly oriented NFRPC. However, the characterization of impact behavior with
different fiber orientation such as 30
woven sisal fiber
reinforced polyester composite was not studied vigorously. Thus, this paper concerns about
development and characterization of the impact resistance behavior of woven sisal fiber
reinforced polyester composite materials experimentally for semi-structural part (such as
automotive interior body panels, automotive back seats and automotive interior door panels) by
using Izod impact testing setup. Sisal fibers purchased from local market was extracted using
manual decortication and water retting process. The 30
0
0
0
0
0
/-60
, 0/90
0
, 30
0
/-45
and 45
/-45
woven
sisal fiber was prepared using nailed wooden frame as a wrap and weft guider. On this guide, the
fiber orientation both for wrap and weft was marked and nailed according to the orientations.
Then the interlacing of wrap and weft threads was made. The woven sisal fiber was impregnated
in order to make woven sisal fiber dimensionally stable. After that using 10:1 polyester/ MEKP
mixing ratio and 40% by weight of fiber, the composite was developed using hand layup process.
A weight fraction of 40% by weight fiber was used because previous studies has showed that it is
best fiber-matrix combination. After the laminate was cured, the specimens were cut according
to ASTM standard in Natty Metals manufacturing enterprise. The morphology and crosssectional
elemental
detection
was
carried
out
using
SEM
assessment
in
LDI.
Finally,
impact
tests
were
carried
out
using
Izod
impact
testing
set
up
in
ASTU.
The
average
impact
strength
of
a
40
wt.
%
fiber
45
0
0
0
0
0
0
/60
, 30
0
/-45
0
, 0
/90
and 45
/-45
0
0
WSFRUPC test specimen with consecutive wrap and weft tow spacing 2mm
was 342.67 J/m and was greater energy compared to the other orientations. But the average
impact strength of a 40wt. % fiber 30
/-45
WSFRUPC of test specimen with consecutive wrap
and weft tow spacing 2mm was 241.33J/m and was less energy compared to the other
orientations. The SEM micrograph analysis result showed a good fiber matrix adhesion.
However, porosity and crack were shown in the wet area.
Description
Keywords
woven sisal fiber, unsaturated polyester resin, Izod impact, impact strength, SEM analysis, hand layup, v-notch, alkaline treatment, Orientation