Fabrication, Mechanical and Physical properties Characterization of Sisal Fiber reinforced Epoxy Composites for Automotive Parts
| dc.contributor.advisor | Anthony N. Sinclair (Prof.) | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Daniel Tilahun (prof.) | |
| dc.contributor.author | Araya Abera | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-05-02T06:01:23Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-05-02T06:01:23Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2021-09 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The demand for natural fibers to replace synthetic fibers in composites manufacturing has grown as a result of the high energy consumption and pollution created in the production and usage of synthetic fibers. Natural fibers have several advantages over synthetic fibers, including low cost, biodegradability, and nontoxicity. In this study, as received Sisal fibers (SF) and those whose surface were chemically modified using 10 wt.% NaOH for 3 h at 60oC and compression molded to produce epoxy matrix composites containing 15, 25, 30, 35, and 40 wt.% of SFs. The composites' morphological, thermal, tensile, flexural, impact physical, and structural characteristics were studied before and after treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermography analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS) are some of the techniques used. The impact of different fiber loadings and chemical treatments on the mechanical, physical, and thermal characteristics of sisal fiber reinforced Epoxy composites were studied. Mechanical properties of the composites were investigated using InstronTM machine. The effect of chemical modification on water uptake of the composites was also studied. Surface chemical treatment of the SFs by soaking in 10 wt.% NaOH for 3 h at 60oC resulted in 20% increase in the cellulose content of the fiber. In the treated SFs, FTIR spectroscopy revealed a decrease and removal of certain noncellulosic components. Although the treated fibers increased, their tensile strength and water absorption capacity decreased as compared to non-treated fibers. The use of sisal fiber in reinforcing epoxy for both treated and untreated led to increase in tensile modulus, tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus and crystallization temperature of the composite when compared to less fiber loading. The rate of water absorption for composites containing treated fibers is lower than that for composites containing untreated fiber. Results also showed that increasing fiber content decreased the tensile strength and flexural strength after 30wt. percentage fiber loading is reached and the impact strength increase with increase of fiber loading. After characterization of the physical and mechanical properties of sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composite, we have seen good agreement with the literature reviewed materials so that this composite can also be used for substitute of materials for automotive parts application. After all we have developed lowvelocity drop weight impactor and we have seen the results which we found from our test machine agreed with the other machines which has similar features. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/2911 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa University | |
| dc.subject | Automotive | |
| dc.subject | Fabrication | |
| dc.subject | Sisal fiber Reinforced Epoxy | |
| dc.title | Fabrication, Mechanical and Physical properties Characterization of Sisal Fiber reinforced Epoxy Composites for Automotive Parts | |
| dc.type | Thesis |