A Project Report on

“THERMAL AND DIMENSIONAL STABILITY OF GLASS

FIBER/PARTICLES FILED COMPOSITES”
Submitted to

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

ANANTAPUR
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY IN
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Submitted by

S. SIDHARTH KARTHEEK - (17691A03I2)

G. VISHNU BHARGAV - (17691A03M2)
K. UDAY KUMAR - (17691A03K7)
D. VINAY - (17691A03M1)
A. SAI LOHITH - (17691A03G6)
Under the Guidance of
Dr. R. Prithivirajan M.E, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MADANAPALLE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE
(UGC - AUTONOMOUS)
(Affiliated to JNTUA, Ananthapuramu)
An ISO 9001:2008 Certified Institution, Accredited by NBA
ANGALLU, MADANAPALLE
2020 - 2021
 DECLARATION
by the B.Tech. Student

I/We hereby declare that the Project Work Report entitled “Thermal and Dimensional

stability of glass fiber/particles filed composites” which is being submitted to the

Madanapalle Institute of Technology and Science, Madanapalle for the award of the
Degree of Bachelor of Technology in” Mechanical Engineering” is a bonafide report of
the work carried out by me/us. The material contained in this Project Work Report has not been
submitted to any University or Institution for the award of any degree.

Register Number, Name & Signature of the Student(s):

(1) S. SIDHARTH KARTHEEK 17691A03I2

(2) G. VISHNU BHARGAV 17691A03M2

(3) K. UDAY KUMAR 17691A03K7

(4) D. VINAY 17691A03M1

(5) A. SAI LOHITH 17691A03G6

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Place: MITS, Madanapalle

Date: 24-07-2021
 Ph.08571-280255,280590 Fax: 08571-280433

MADANAPALLE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE

(UGC – AUTONOMOUS)
An Engineering College Sponsored by
RATAKONDA RANGA REDDY EDUCATIONAL ACADEMY
Approved by AICTE, New Delhi and Affiliated to JNTUA, Anantapur
An ISO 9001:2008 Certified Institution
P.B.No-14, Angallu, Madanapalle -517325, Chittoor District, A.P.
www.mits.ac.in

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE

Certified that this project report titled “Thermal and dimensional stability of glass
fiber/particles filed composites” is the bonafide work of “Mr. S. Sidharth Kartheek, Mr.
G. Vishnu Bhargav, Mr. K. Uday Kumar, Mr. D. Vinay, Mr. A Sai. Lohith” bearing Hall
Ticket Number “17691A03I2,17691A03M2,17691A03K7,17691A03M1,17691A03G6”
who carried out the project under our supervision. Certified further, that to the best of our
knowledge the work reported herein does not form part of any other project report or
dissertation on the basis of which a degree or award was conferred on an earlier occasion on
this or any other candidate.

PROJECT GUIDE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT

Dr.R. Prithivirajan M.E, Ph.D. Dr. T. V. V. L. N. Rao, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Professor & Head
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering,
MITS, MITS,
Madanapalle. Madanapalle.

Internal Examiner External Examiner

 Department of Mechanical Engineering
PLAGIARISM VERIFICATION CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the B. Tech Project report titled, “THERMAL AND DIMENSIONAL
STABILITY OF GLASS FIBER/PARTICLE FILED COMPOSITES” by Mr. S. SIDHARTH
KARTHEEK (Regd. No: 17691A03I2), Mr. G.VISHNU BHARGAV (Regd. No: 17691A03M2),
Mr. K. UDAY KUMAR (Regd. No: 17691A03K7), Mr. D.VINAY (Regd.No:17691A03M1) Mr. A.SAI
LOHITH (Regd. No:17691A03G6) has been evaluated using URKUND software and based on the
analysis report generated by the faculty, the report similarity index is found to be 7% for the

dissertation consisting of 41 pages.

Plagarism In charge,
Mr. P. Hemanandan
Assistant professor
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We sincerely thank the MANAGEMENT of Madanapalle Institute of

Technology and Science for providing excellent infrastructure and lab facilities that
helped me to complete this project.

We sincerely thank Dr. C. Yuvaraj, Principal for guiding and providing facilities for
the successful completion of our project at Madanapalle Institute of Technology and
Science, Madanapalle.

We express our deep sense of gratitude to Dr. T. V. V. L. N. Rao, Professor & HOD
of Mechanical Engineering for his valuable guidance and constant encouragement
given to us during this work.

We express our deep gratitude to my guide Dr. R. Prithivirajan, Associate Professor,

Department of ME for his guidance and encouragement that helped us to complete this
project.

We express my deep sense gratitude to Dr. R. Prithivirajan, Project Coordinator for

their guidance and encouragement that helped us to complete this project.

We also wish to place on record my gratefulness to other Faculty of ME Department

and also to our friends and our parents for their help and cooperation during our project
work.
 ABSTRACT
This research explorers the effective utilization of Prosopis juliflora and boron nitride
in glass fiber/particles filled composites. The composite was prepared by reinforcing Prosopis
juliflora, boron nitride particles and glass fiber. The content of the particles varied in three
different ranges and their effect on temperature and water absorption of the composite was
analyzed. The dimensional stability was also studied as per ASTM standards. The technique
used for fabricating the composite was the compression moulding technique.

Four types of composites EP, C-1, C-2 and C-3 having different weight percentages of
reinforcement and matrix were fabricated. The thermal behaviour of the composite material
was examined using TGA (thermogravimetric analysis). The investigation evidenced
reinforced boron nitride, glass fiber and Prosopis juliflora in composite improve the thermal
and dimensional stability of the composite materials. The power of enduring an unpleasant or
difficult environment of composite has improved.
 TABLE OF CONTENT

Chapter No Description/Title Page No

ABSTRACT
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF TABLES
I INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Composites 1
1.2 Natural fibers 2
1.3 Prosopis juliflora 3
1.4 Thermogravimetric analyzer 4
1.5 Boron Nitride 4
1.6 Glass fiber 5

II LITERATURE SURVEY 7
2.1 Study on Thermal and dimensional stability of glass 7
fiber/particle filled composites
2.2 Study on Water absorption of glass fiber/particle filled 9
Composites

III METHODOLOGY 13
3.1 Reinforced Materials 13
3.1.1 Prosopis Juliflora 13
3.1.2 Boron Nitride 13
3.1.3 Glass Fiber 14
3.2 Preparation of matrix 14
3.3 Fabrication of Composites 15
3.3.1 Preparation of Composites 15
3.3.2 Fabrication of Epoxy 16
3.3.3 Fabrication of C-1 type 16
3.3.4 Fabrication of C-2 type 16
 3.3.5 Fabrication of C-3 type 17
3.4 Thermal Studies 17
3.5 Water absorption analysis 18
3.6 Dimensional study test 19

IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 20

4.1 Thermogravimetric analysis 20
4.2 Water absorption analysis 24
4.3 Dimensional stability analysis 25

V CONCLUSION AND SCOPE FOR FUTURE 28

STUDY
5.1 Conclusion 28
5.2 Scope for future study 28

REFERENCES 29
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No Description Page No

1.1 PJ plant and PJ bark fibre. PJ, Prosopis juliflora. 4

2.1 Composite’s v/s Tensile strength (Mpa) 7

2.2 Time (Hrs.) v/s Water absorption (%) 10

3.1 Powered Prosopis Juliflora 13

3.2 Boron Nitride 13

3.3 E-glass Fiber 14

3.4 Mixing Epoxy resins with hardener 14

3.5 Prepared composite (EP) 16

3.6 Prepared composite (C-1) 16

3.7 Prepared composite (C-2) 17

3.8 Prepared composite (C-3) 17

3.9 Thermogravimetric analyzer 18

3.10 Sample space in glasses and weighing machine 18

4.1 Temperature v/s weight loss (%) of Epoxy 20

4.2 Temperature v/s weight loss (%) of C-1 21

4.3 Temperature v/s weight loss (%) of C-2 22

4.4 Temperature v/s weight loss (%) of C-3 23

4.5 % Of water immersion on sample composites C-1, C-2, C-3 25

4.6 % Of thickness swell by sample composites C-1, C-2, C-3 27

 LIST OF TABLES

Table No Description Page No

1.1 Properties of Boron Nitride 5

3.5 Formulation of composites with different (wt.%) 15

4.1 % of water intake by sample composites C-1, C-2, C-3 24

4.2 % of Thickness swell by sample composites C-1, C-2 & 26

C-3
 CHAPTER-1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Composites

A composite is a material that is made of a mixture of two or more dissimilar

materials in such a way that the resultant material is endowed with properties superior
to any of its original ones. Fibre-reinforced composites, owing to their dominant
properties, can be applied in different applications like defence, aerospace, engineering
applications, sports goods, etc.

A compound material can be characterized as a blend of at least two materials

that outcomes in enhanced properties than those of the Mechanical assembly utilized
alone. In comparison to metallic alloys, each material retains its Part chemical, physical,
and mechanical properties. Those two constituents are reinforced as a matrix. Properties
of compound materials are powerfully dependent on the properties of their calculated
volume or weight fraction, which determines the contribution of a single constituent to
the general properties of the compound materials. It is not only the single most
important parameter influencing the properties of the compound materials but also a
simply controllable manufacturing variable used to change its properties.

Composite materials play a big role in the manufacturing system. Also, the
industries are preferring natural fibres for reinforcement. In recent days various
manufacturing industries are improving their ability in terms of quality, time and cost.
In recent days more manufacturing works are focused on using natural fibres as
reinforcement materials for making different kinds of composites. Reinforcement
materials are selected based on availability and cost-efficiency. Natural fibres have
more merits like availability, less cost, less density, non-abrasive and non-toxic. Some
of the main aspects mainly considered in manufacturing composite materials are
quality, strengthening, electric and mechanical behaviour. The quality of composites
depends on the behaviour of the reinforcement materials. Also, it depends on the ratio
of the fibres mixed in manufacturing composites. This problem is taken into account
and this research work aimed to select the best natural fibre as a reinforcement material
for composite manufacturing. To do that Akhund fibres are considered as the
reinforcement material. Some most recently developed composites are now made using
1
carbon fibres instead of glass. These materials are lighter and powerful than fibre-glass
but more expensive to produce. They are also used in aircraft parts and costly sports
equipment such as golf clubs. (Guptha M.K 2020)

1.2 Natural Fibers

Nowadays, natural fibre composites have a lot of increasing interest in the

environment because they are eco-friendly. Researchers have done a lot of work on
natural fibres. Natural fibres such as jute, sisal, silk, and coir are not high in price,
abundant and renewable, lightweight, with low density, high toughness, and
biodegradable. Natural fibres such as jute have the prospective to be used as a
replacement for traditional reinforcement materials composites for applications that
require high material strength divided by its density and further weight reduction.
Natural fibre strengthening polymer composites have raised great attention and
attentiveness among materials scientists and engineers in recent years due to the
deliberation of developing an environmentally friendly material and partly replacing
currently used glass or carbon fibres in fibre strengthening composites. They are highly
specific strength and modulus materials, low prices, recyclable, easily available in some
countries, etc.

In the current years, reinforcement material as the natural fibres and the matrix
material as the polymer matrix have received considerable attention from many
researchers. The benefits such as easy accessibility, specific strength, low density,
lightweight, renewability, biodegradability and low cost have led the interest for the
researchers in the natural fibre reinforced polymer compound materials. Current
development in scientific technology has improved the living standard for the general
man but at an equal time, there will be ecological imbalance and it also causes the higher
development of the human population. (Khan. A,2020)

It is very needed to find an explanation for this environmental inequity.

Therefore, many researchers are mainly focusing their interest on the environmental
activity materials for example. natural fibres. Instead of synthetic fibres, natural fibres
can be used as a more efficient reinforcing material in the polymer matrix compound
materials for many appliances. A new type of natural fibre is Akund fibre whereas it is
cellulose fibre. It has excellent properties and it is considered a famous ecological
material where it has large potential in terms of developing reinforced composites.
2
Akhund natural fibre has various important aspects like biodegradation,
biocompatibility, abundance and nontoxicity. Akhund fibres have more moisture
absorption and release behaviour and this behaviour is more important while
reinforcing with polymers. Due to cost efficiency and the other aspects, Akund fibres
can be utilized for manufacturing natural fibre-reinforced composites.

1.3 Prosopis Juliflora

The synthetic fibres owing to their expensiveness and human health hazard
issues have been limited in their usage in many commercial as well as in engineering
applications. This has resulted in looking for new materials called “Hybrid Composites”
which are the outcome of the hybridization of natural and synthetic fibres. The hybrid
composites have the capability of matching the thermomechanical properties of
synthetic fibre-reinforced composites if developed with proper volume fraction of
natural and synthetic fibres. Also, it can deal with some of the major issues such as
biocompatibility, durability, and thermal stability and lead to successful green
composites which would be very much essential in solving present world
environmental problems.

India being an agricultural hub is gifted with many natural resources, which
would be derived from agricultural lands or forests. Prosopis juliflora (PJ) plant belongs
to the family of Leguminosae of Prosopis genus and includes about 44 species,
clustered in about five segments and six series ranges. These species contain the
capability of growing in the poorest possible soils and can survive on lands where no
other plants can survive and have been used all over the world for the past 150 years.
They are mainly exploited for their fodder and fuelwood application. PJ plants are
abundantly available in South India. It is highly recognized as a soil binder, sand
stabilizer, and windbreaker.

It will facilitate the animals with food shelter, nectar, leaves, and fruits. It is
tolerant to heavy metals, temperature range about 480C and here the annual rainfall
range is about 150 to 750 mm. PJ plants can be cultivated in a different range of soils
that include alkaline, saline, rocky, and sandy types.

3
 Figure 1.1: PJ plant and PJ bark fibre. PJ, Prosopis juliflora.

As shown below in Figure 1, the PJ plant stem is green brownish, twisted, and
sinuous, and can grow up to a height of 6 to 9 m and 25 mm (approximately) in
diameter. The bark looks somewhat dull-red and rough, while the roots pierce to greater
depths in the soil. (Rajendra Prasad.P 2019)

1.4 Thermogravimetric analyzer

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is conducted on an instrument referred to as

a thermogravimetric analyzer. A thermogravimetric analyzer continuously measures
mass while the temperature of a sample is changed over time. Mass, temperature, and
time are considered base measurements in thermogravimetric analysis while many
additional measures may be derived from these three base measurements.

The Thermogravimetric data collected from a thermal reaction is compiled into

a plot of mass or percentage of initial mass on the y-axis versus either temperature or
time on the x-axis. This plot, which is often smoothed, is referred to as a TGA curve.
TGA can be used for materials characterization through analysis of characteristic
decomposition patterns. It is a useful technique for the study of polymeric materials,
including thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, composites, plastic films, fibres,
coatings, paints and fuels. (Source from google)

1.5 Boron Nitride

Boron Fillers Provides good mechanical, potential electrical properties, thermal

conductivity, thermal stability, and glass transition temperature and effectively reduces
both frictions and wear tribological performance. Apart from the conventional fillers,
boron-based alloys which are very little investigated can also serve friction, wear and
4
lubrication purposes. The production of self-lubrication composites is a key issue
recently because of their excellent tribological properties suitable for advanced
applications. (Muralidhara. B 2020)

Table 1.1 Properties of Boron Nitride.

Properties BN

Chemical Formula BN

Crystal Structure Hexagonal

Purity 98%

Appearance Colorless crystals

Form Powder

Particle Size <10 μm

Density 2.29 g mL-1 at 25 0C (lit)

Hardness 400

Young’s Modulus (In Mpa) 20-100

Melting Point (oC) 3000

Solubility in water Insoluble

1.6 Glass Fiber

Glass is an organic fibre that is neither oriented nor crystalline.

It is widely used in reinforcing thermoplastic composites in products from circuit
boards to boat hulls. The ingredients normally used in making glass fibres are silicon
dioxide, calcium oxide, aluminum oxide, boron oxide plus a few other metal oxides.

These fibres are mainly ceramic fibres, fabrication methods used to make
ceramic fibres, and their application areas. Oxide and non-oxide ceramic fibres are
being used as reinforcement materials for composites due to their unique properties of
high elastic modulus and high-temperature durability. Their properties make them
valuable to use in automotive, aerospace, and heat resistant structural applications.
ceramic fibres are found in two forms, continuous long length and a discontinuous short
5
length. alumina and silicate-based continuous oxide fibres are made by the sol-gel
process but short oxide fibres by melt spinning route.

Nowadays GFRP composites are widely used as structural materials on aircraft,

automobiles, and ships as well as in other industrial segments such as the wind energy
industry and construction industry. Fibre-reinforced polymer composites are usually
susceptible to Impact damages which in many cases are externally invisible while
harmful to the residual strength of these materials. Many techniques have been
attempted by researchers to improve the impact performance of composite materials.
These techniques can generally be divided into two categories, namely, fibre-related
and matrix related. (M.S Senthil Kumar 2014)

Hybrid composites which have two or more types of fibres embedding in single
matrix materials translaminar reinforcements such as stitching land surface
modification of glass fibres such as treatment with silane coupling agents are fibre
related solutions aiming at improving the impact properties of composites. Matrix
related techniques available in the literature include but are not limited to the
application of tough thermoplastic resins addition of fillers into matrix resin such as
nano clay and carbon nanotubes.

6
 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE SURVEY

2.1 Study on Thermal and Dimensional stability on glass fiber/

particle filled composites
Manoj Kumar Gupta et al: Studied thermal, mechanical and morphological
ways of Prosopis juliflora bark fibers/E-glass/carbon fabrics reinforced hybrid
polymeric composites for structural applications. MPJ4E hybrid composite laminate
displayed the best hardness and tensile value. The overall results obtained revealed that
the prepared hybrid composite laminates are capable of being utilized in some structural
applications such as door panels, bumpers, dashboards, storage panels, marine valves,
and pumps. MPJ4E hybrid composite laminate displayed the best hardness value.

B Muralidhara et al: Studied on mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties

of carbon fibre-strengthen boron nitride-filled epoxy composites. The BN1%
composites comparatively presented the best tensile properties than other composites.
The BN1% composite showed better damping properties. The BN1% composites are
best in terms of wear resistance. The study clears that BN-CF/Ep composites enhance
the mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties. Hence BN can be used for
composites in load-bearing, automotive, and other engineering applications.

Figure 2.1: Composite’s v/s Tensile Strength (Mpa) (Source from ref. B Muralidhara
2020)
7
 M. S. Senthil Kumar et al: He studied thermal and tribological property of
various nano clay-loaded epoxy, with and without the admittance of E- Glass fibre
using Taguchi’s technique. For this cause, the test samples were prepared according to
the ASTM standard, and the test was carried out with the assistance of a Pin-on-Disc
machine. The results indicated that the mixture of factors greatly controls the process
to achieve the minimum wear and coefficient of friction. Overall, the experiment
development depicted the least wear and friction coefficient for fibre-strengthen
laminates. In the same way, admirable wear and friction coefficient was noted without
fibre laminates. Additionally, the S-N ratio results exhibited a similar trend. In addition,
an ANOVA study found that the fibre admittance on laminates has a lesser contribution
on the coefficient of friction and wear when contrasted to without fibre laminates.

Gassan & Bledzki: Used the coupling methods to improve the thermal
properties of composites. Composites have a high level of moisture ingest, poor
wettability, and inadequate adhesion between untreated fibres and the polymer matrix
leads to debonding with age. To improve the properties of the composites, the natural
strengthened fibres can be modified by coupling methods. The coupling agents have
chemical groups which can perform with fibre or polymer and thus improve the
interfacial adhesion.

Shah & Lakkad: He tries to compare the thermal and mechanical properties of
jute-reinforces and glass-reinforced and the results show that the jute fibres, when
introduced into the resin matrix as strengthen, considerably improve the mechanical
properties, but the betterment is much lower than that obtained by the introduction of
glass and other high-performance fibres. Hence, the jute fibres can be used as a
strengthening where modest strength and modulus are required. Another potential use
for the jute fibres is that they can be used as a filler fibre, substituting the glass as well
as the resin in a filament-wound component. The main difficulty of the present work
has been that it is difficult to introduce a large number of jute fibres into the JRP
laminates because the jute fibres, unlike glass fibres, soak up a large amount of resin.
This problem is partly overcome when hybridizing with glass fibres is carried out and
justified.

8
 Ratna Prasad et al: He investigated the evaluating thermal, tensile and bending
properties of hybrid laminates prepared using Jowar as reinforcement in polyester
matrices. The Jowar fibre was extracted by using a manual retting process and
reinforced in a polyester resin with a volume fraction of about 0.40. Prepared samples
were differentiated with bamboo and sisal fibre-reinforced polyester composites. The
high strength nature and its rigidity produced is obtained from novel Jowar fibre-
reinforced polymer laminates is available to par with established sisal and the bamboo
fibre composites and envied that these newly formed composites are used in different
lightweight applications in the general purpose.

Mwaikambo and Bisanda reported on the topic of thermal and dimensional

stability of manual hand layup method that is fabricated cotton-kapok fabric reinforced
unsaturated kind of the polyester hybrid composited and conducted its performance
analysis based on the results. The results showed that the higher fibre has the volume
fraction helped in achieving increased flexural strength and also modulus properties
and made these types of investigation laminates to be used in few types of commercial
design applications.

2.2 Study on water absorption of glass fiber/ particle filled composites

Ray et al.: In their work, Jute fibres were put through to alkali analysis with 5%
NaOH solution for 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h at 30superC. It was found that improvement in
properties both for fibres and strengthened composites. The fibres after analysis were
finer, having less hemicellulose content, increased crystallinity, reduced amount of
deformity resulting in superior bonding with the vinyl ester resin. As fibres, the better
in properties were predominant around 6–8 h treatment whereas as composites, it was
highest when reinforced with 4 h-treated fibres at 35% fibre loadings.

Saidane investigated the hybridization effect of glass and flax fibres and
observed that the addition of E-glass fibres enhances the tensile strength and also
Young's modulus of the flax fibre composites. The main reason for the enhancement in
flax fibres is the better stiffness characteristics of glass fibres.

9
 Sutharson et al: He investigated the tensile properties of alkali-treated woven
jute natural fibre, woven glass fibre reinforced hybrid composite bolted joint and
untreated hybrid composite bolted joints. The effect of stacking sequence and fibre
analysis on tensile strength, hardness, and impact strength of alkali-treated woven jute
natural fibre, woven glass fibre reinforced hybrid Composites and Untreated Hybrid
Composite were investigated experimentally.

P. Venkateshwar Reddy et al: Studied on Alkali Treatment control on Prosopis

Juliflora Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites the mechanical properties of the samples
improved by the reinforcement content into the composite samples but over 20 % of
the mechanical properties were decreased. The alkali treatment of the fibre upgrades
the mechanical properties of the samples due to the removal of hemicellulose and lignin
content of the fibre. The moisture soaks up also decreased for treated fibre composites.
Fibre-reinforced composites were thermally stable up to 300°C.

Figure 2.2: Time (Hrs) v/s Water Absorption % (Source from ref. PV Reddy 2019)

Noorunnisa Khanam et al: Studied the tensile, flexural, and compressive

strengths of sisal/silk unsaturated polyester-based hybrid composites with different
fibre lengths. a consequence of alkali treatment on the tensile, flexural, and compressive
quality of the sisal/silk hybrid composites have also been studied. The sisal fibres were
analyzed with NaOH and compelling better tensile, flexural, and compressive strengths
10
of the sisal/silk hybrid composites have been observed by these treatments. Static and
dynamic mechanical properties of kenaf fibres and wood flour polypropylene (PP)
composites were evaluated and compared with kenaf/PP and wood flour/PP
composites. The hybrid composite exhibited tensile and flexural moduli and strength
values closer to those of the kenaf composite, which indicated a higher reinforcing
efficiency of kenaf fibres compared with wood flour (Mehdi Tajvidi 2005).

Hyo Jin Kim et al: Studied the effects of water absorption fatigue on the
mechanical properties of sisal textile-reinforced composites. All specimens produced
were repeated water absorption 5 times in this study. The specimens were absorbed in
pure water for 9 days at room temperature and dried in 1 day at 50°C. Water uptake of
the epoxy composites was found to rise with cyclic times. Mechanical ownership is
dramatically affected by the water absorption cycles. Water-soaked samples present
poor machine-driven properties such as lower values of maximum strength and extreme
elongation.

El-Sabbagh et al: Discussed the NaOH treatment of fibres interacting with the
hydroxyl groups obtainable on the cellulosic fibres from one end and via a
macromolecular chain mess with the polymer on the other end. Khalid et al. (2006)
reviewed fibre pretreatment like washing thoroughly with 2% aqueous detergent to
remove surface oil and contaminants has been performed. Zhao et al. (2014) discussed
in some cases, the fibres and polymer matrices were combined with the coupling agents
by melt mixing (internal mixer or extruder), while in others, the untreated fibres were
immersed in alkali solutions to have better fibre impregnation before being dry-blended
was discussed by Cisneros et al. (2015).

Ramesh carried out a mechanical property’s investigation on the sisal-jute-glass

fibre-reinforced polyester hybrid composite laminates to understand their various
mechanical characteristics by understanding. The experiment was conducted by
preparing three different randomly selected polyester composite laminates, which are,
jute-glass (JG), sisal-glass (SG), and jute-sisal-glass (JSG). The maximum strength was

11
found in JSG incorporated made glass fibre-reinforced hybrid composite laminates.
Furthermore, the interfacial behaviour of composites was evaluated through the SEM
study.

Braga investigated the hybrid composites that are prepared from the untreated
jute and glass fibre-reinforced with epoxy resin. The untreated jute fibre, glass fibre and
epoxy matrix were laminated under three different weight ratios that are. 68/25/7,
64/18/19, and 69/31/0 respectively to make composites from given items. The study
revealed that substituting natural fibre with synthetic fibre has improved density,
tensile, flexural, and also the impact strength of the laminates.

Shanmugam and Thiruchitrambalam conducted many investigations on the type

of the alkali-treated by the palmyra palm leaf fibres (PPLFs)/jute fibers/E-glass fabrics
reinforced polyester composites and evaluated static and dynamic mechanical
properties of the composites. The results showed that reinforcing alkali is treated PPLFs
with alkali-treated jute fibres and E-glass fabrics in that polymer composites have
improved tensile and flexural properties and have also enhanced the fibre-matrix
interfacial adhesion behaviour which was shown some of the evidenced through SEM
analysis.

Van de Velde and Kiekens: Reported that adding fibres like jute, sisal, hemp,
and flax in the synthetic glass fibre-reinforced polymeric composites would enhance
the tensile strength and modulus properties of the given material. Thus, confirming that
the insertion of the natural fibres in synthetic fibres outcomes in augmentation of
mechanical properties of polymeric based bio composites.

Zhong and Joshi: Carried out water immersion ageing on the carbon fibre-
reinforced composites. It was found that the peak contact force under low-velocity
impact increased by 16.45% after 48 days of ageing (at 80 °C). The interaction between
the composites and the hygrothermal conditions is a rather complex phenomenon. It
depends on the particular combination of the matrix and reinforcement; More research
efforts are required in this area for further development.
12
 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Reinforced Materials

Prosopis Juliflora, Boron Nitride, and Glass Fiber are the reinforced materials
used for preparing glass fibre/Particles filled composites.

3.1.1 Prosopis Juliflora

Prosopis Juliflora fibre is extracted from plant bark. Extracted fibre is taken in
the trays. Cleaning is done with purified water. The cleaned fibres were then oven-dried
up in the hot air to eliminate the leftover moisture content. After that, fibre is converted
into Powder form which is ready for usage.

Figure 3.1: Powdered Prosopis Juliflora

3.1.2 Boron Nitride

Boron Fillers Provides good mechanical, potential electrical properties, thermal

conductivity, thermal stability, and glass transition temperature and effectively reduces
both frictions and wear tribological performance. For effective utilization of the boron
nitride, the mixing of boron nitride in the mixture should be proper.

Figure 3.2: Boron Nitride

13
3.1.3 Glass Fiber

Glass fibre of type E – glass fibre (200 GSM) which has a density of 2.52 g/cm3
density is used for making the composites. GFRP composites are widely used as
structural materials on aircraft, automobiles, and ships as well as in other industrial
segments such as the wind energy industry and construction industry.

Figure 3.3: E-glass fibre

3.2 Preparation of Matrix

The matrix employed to fabricate the composite is epoxy LY556 of density

1.15 g/cm3 and hardener HY951 of density 0.98 g/cm3 filled with synthetic cellulose
powder derived from plant waste. The weight ratio for the mixture of epoxy, hardener,
and cellulose was 10:1:X. Epoxy is a thermosetting polymer that cures when mixed
with a hardener. It can be made flexible or rigid, transparent or colored, fast setting, or
extremely slow. A precise electronic weighing machine was employed to weigh the
resin and hardener.

Figure 3.4: Mixing epoxy resin with hardener

14
3.3 Fabrication of Composites

3.3.1 Preparation of Compositions:

Composites materials like Epoxy, C-1, C-2, C-3 with four different wt% of
reinforcement and matrix are prepared using the Compression moulding process.

Table 3.5: Formulation of composites with different wt.% of reinforcement & matrix

EP: The composition of reinforcement and matrix in EP is epoxy-100%, glass fiber-

0%, boron nitride- 0% and Prosopis juliflora-0%.

C-1: The composition of reinforcement and matrix in C-1 is epoxy-50%, glass fiber-
30%, boron nitride- 5% and prosopis juliflora-15%.

C-2: The composition of reinforcement and matrix in C- is epoxy-50%, glass fiber-

30%, boron nitride- 10% and Prosopis juliflora-10%.

C-3: The composition of reinforcement and matrix in C-1 is epoxy-50%, glass fiber-
30%, boron nitride- 15% and prosopis juliflora-5%.

In this way, four different compositions were prepared and fabricated using the
compression moulding technique. The Dimensions of compression moulding dye are
300 x 300 x 3 mm.

Before taking the compositions into the dice, all reinforced particles and
matrices should be mixed properly for effective results.

15
3.3.2 Fabrication of Epoxy
Matrix prepared for fabrication of epoxy (Epoxy-100 wt%, Glass Fibre-0 wt%,
Boron nitride-0 wt.% and juliflora-0 wt%) is poured into the dye. Then, the dye is kept
on the compression moulder. The amount of pressure applied to it is 6 Mpa and the
temperature supplied is 3100C. The time provided for cooling which is also called
curing time is 2hrs.

Figure 3.5: Prepared composite (EP)

3.3.3 Fabrication of C-1 type

Matrix prepared for fabrication of C-1 type (Epoxy-50 wt%, Glass Fibre-30
wt%, Boron nitride-5 wt% and juliflora-15 wt%) is poured into the dye. Then, the dye
is kept on the compression moulder. The amount of pressure applied to it is 6 Mpa and
the temperature supplied is 3100C. The time provided for cooling which is also called
curing time is 2hrs.

Figure 3.6: Prepared composite (C-1)

3.3.4 Fabrication of C-2 type

Matrix prepared for fabrication of C-2 type (Epoxy-50 wt%, Glass Fibre-30
wt%, Boron nitride-10 wt% and juliflora-10 wt%). is poured into the dye. Then, the dye
is kept on the compression moulder. The amount of pressure applied to it is 6 Mpa and
16
the temperature supplied is 3100C. The time provided for cooling which is also called
curing time is 2hrs.

Figure 3.7: Prepared composite (C-2)

3.3.5 Fabrication of C-3 type

Matrix prepared for fabrication of C-3 type (Epoxy-50 wt%, Glass Fibre-30
wt%, Boron nitride-15 wt% and juliflora-5 wt%). is poured into the dye. Then, the dye
is kept on the compression moulder. The amount of pressure applied to it is 6 Mpa and
the temperature supplied is 3100C. The time provided for cooling which is also called
curing time is 2hrs.

Figure 3.8: Prepared composite (C-3)

3.4 Thermal Studies

The instrument used for thermal studies is a Simultaneous thermal analyzer

(TGA). A thermogravimetric analyzer continuously measures mass while the
temperature of a sample is changed over time. The material which is to be tested is
converted into powder form and then keep in the container of the analyzer. A sample
weight of 8 to 5 mg is taken for analysis. The experiment is done in a nitrogen gas
atmosphere for accurate results. Analyzer initially starts the analysis at a starting
17
temperature of 30 0C to an ending temperature of 800 0C. The setup rate is 10 0C.

Figure 3.9: Thermogravimetric analyzer

The thermal analyzing process of all four composites EP, C-1, C-2, C-3, and C-
4 using a thermogravimetric analyzer is the same. The final results will get in the form
of a graphical manner. The graphs are drawn temperature in 0C v/s weight loss in % for
all four composite materials EP, C-1, C-2, and C-3.

3.5 Water Absorption Analysis

The water absorption capacity of epoxy, C-1, C-2, and C-3 types are tested by
using a Precise weight machine. Samples are placed in disposable glasses which contain
normal water to study the water absorption performance. Remove the samples from
the water and measure the weight of the samples. Take the readings for every 24hr. The
water absorption take of the samples is calculated by equation1.

% Of water absorption = (Wt - Wo)/Wo x 100 (1)

where Wo is the weight of composite samples before putting into the water in grams

and Wt is the weight of composite samples after being taken out from the water in
grams.

Figure 3.10: Samples placed in glasses and weighing machine

18
 The process of taking readings for four different composite samples is the same.
While taking the readings human errors should be minimized for accuracy.

3.6 Dimensional Stability test

With the help of a Dimensional study, we can find the change in thickness of
all four samples. To study the thickness swelling behaviour, we can use a micrometer,
a digital vernier calliper for measuring the thickness of the samples. Before testing each
sample is measured and the samples are immersed in distilled water for 1 to 10 days at
25oC. Samples should be removed after regular intervals of time and thickness should
be measured for all four samples. The thickness swell of the samples is calculated by
equation 2.

% of thickness swell = (Tt - To)/To x 100 (2)

where To is the thickness of composite samples before putting them into the water in
mm and Tt is the thickness of composite samples after being taken out from the water
in mm.

19
 CHAPTER 4

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.1 Thermogravimetric analysis

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is tested and conducted on an instrument
which is called a thermogravimetric analyser. This analyser continuously measures
weight loss while the temperature of a sample is changed over time. Mass, temperature,
and time are considered as basic measurements in thermogravimetric analysis while
many additional measures may be derived from these three basics measurements. GA
can also be used to evaluate the thermal stability of a material. In our research and this
project, we have studied thermal stability using TGA. In the research of this project
polymers which are present in samples usually melt before they decompose, thus TGA
is mainly used to investigate the thermal stability of polymers. Most polymers start to
degrade before 200 °C.

Moreover, these thermally stable polymers can withstand temperatures of at

least 300 °C in air and 500 °C in inert gases without any structural changes or strength
loss. The main reason for using glass fibre-reinforced composites as bio-composites is
to increase their low thermal stability. Hence, the thermal stability of fabricated samples
with the variation of temperature was studied by utilizing the thermogravimetric (TG)
analysis. The high-temperature degradation of the composite samples reinforced by
Prosopis juliflora, boron nitride and glass fibre were studied by TG curves.

Figure 4.1: Temperature v/s weight loss (%) of Epoxy

20
● In the above figure, we can see the pure form of Epoxy (100%) and its TGA
test. This is the purest or an important form of epoxy (critical in product design).

● In thermal conditions, the epoxy has “glass transition temperature (Tg)” which
is one of the important properties of the polymer where it begins to convert from
hard glassy material to soft rubbery material.

● Therefore, TGA is calculated and epoxy has a Tg valve between 80oC to 100oC.
As shown in the figure the epoxy material starts melting its nature of hardness
to soft rubbery material from around 85oC(approximately).

● The thermal degradation takes place in three steps whereas the decomposition
takes place in two steps. For all the varied fibres the initial weight loss of 10%
took place around 30–300°C. As the temperature increases, a gradual decrease
in weight loss occurs in epoxy and if the temperature reaches out to around
350oC.

● It is due to the vaporization of fibres which are present in the composite samples
constant downfall of its nature comes around 15% at 450oC. Between 350 oC to
450oC the material property has gradually made its way to transform from hard
to soft material.

Figure 4.2: Temperature v/s weight loss (%) of C-1

21
● If we look at the above figure which is of composite C-1 as noted in table no.
the material which is combined with epoxy is of glass fibre, boron nitride,
Prosopis juliflora. The wt% of the entire sample is epoxy-50 wt%, glass fibre-
30 wt%, boron nitride-5 wt% and Prosopis juliflora-15 wt%.

● The graph shows the weight loss with an increase in temperature to the sample
particle which is taken of 5 to 8 mg.

● Of the above composition, the melting point starts around 75oC and gradually
decreases the weight with an increase in temperature. After reaching 350oC the
material starts melting and loses its hardness which comes to 55 to 60% with a
temperature range of 380oC to 400oC.

● This was observed in the TGA laboratory and the weight loss occurs with less
percentage when compared to epoxy which is 40%.

Figure 4.3: Temperature v/s weight loss (%) C-2

22
 Figure 4.4: Temperature v/s weight loss (%) C-3

In the above figures 3 and 4, the composite mixture is epoxy-50 wt%, glass
fibre-30 wt%, boron nitride-10 wt% and Prosopis juliflora-10 wt% for fig 3 and epoxy-
50 wt%, glass fibre-30 wt%, boron nitride-15 wt% and Prosopis juliflora-5 wt% for
figure 4.

● The weight loss starts at an early stage of both the samples and after this
temperature range, the degradation took place at a rapid pace as the temperature
increased. In the second stage, the weight loss of around 50 to 55% took place
at a temperature range of 300–450°C.

● Later in the final stage, the degradation took place at a slower pace where the
weight loss occurs at 40% in C-2 and 35% in C-3.

● Hence C-2 type composite gives better results and consumes less weight loss
than the other two composites. This is all about the TGA on different
compositions of composites.

23
4.2 Water absorption analysis
The water absorption behaviour of “Glass fibre/particle-filled composites” is
done by measuring weight with time. The sample particles were immersed in the water
bowl and the readings were taken in regular intervals of time using the weighing
machine. Water absorption characteristics of treated (various compositions) and
untreated epoxy composite samples were investigated as per ASTM D-570-98
principles. The different fibre-loaded samples were placed in disposable glasses which
contain normal water to study the water absorption performance. For every 24 hrs,
samples were removed from the water to measure the weight of the sample
instantaneously using a precise electronic balance by properly cleaning the sample to
remove the surface water using tissue papers. The water absorption analysis of the
samples is calculated by the below equation 1.

% of water absorption= (Wt-Wo) / Wo x 100 (1)

where Wo is the weight of composite samples before putting them into water (oven-
dried weight) in grams and Wt is the weight of composite samples after being taken out
from the water in grams.

Table 4.1: % of water intake by sample composites C-1, C-2 and C-3

S.no Day C-1 (%) C-2 (%) C-3 (%)

1 1st 11 8.5 7.5

2 2nd 14 12 9

3 3rd 15.5 13 11

4 4th 18 17 13

5 5th 22.5 18.5 15

6 6th 24 20 17

7 7th 27.5 22.5 18.5

8 8th 28 23 18.6

9 9th 31 24 19

10 10th 32 28 19.2

24
 Figure 4.5: % of water immersion on sample composites C-1, C-2, C-3

From the above graph, the water absorption analysis was identified by
considering immersion time with a percentage of water intake. Here if we look at the
percentage of water absorption, It is considered to be less in composite C-3 where the
water immersion is gradually coming low when compared to the other two sample
composites. This shows that the composite is less immersive with high strength. In all
engineering applications, submarine building, aero plane building this glass fibre is
used widely to give high stability and strength in heavy wind and rain. Since the
immersion time of C-3 is between 6 to 8 % in 24 hrs. which gradually increases with
time it took nearly 15 to 20% to immerse within the span of 240 hrs. (10 days). Hence
when compared to the other two samples this C-3 composite sample took less
percentage of water intake with regular intervals of time.

4.3 Dimensional stability analysis

The thickness swelling behaviour of “Glass fibre/particle-filled composites” is
conducted according to ASTM (American Society for testing and materials). Before
testing each type of sample, they were measured and specimens were immersed in
distilled water for 1 to 10 days at 250C. For every 24 hrs, the dimensions of the sample
particles were measured using micrometers at regular intervals of time. After some
time, the sample particles were removed and thickness was measured.

25
 Table 4.2: % of thickness swell by sample composites C-1, C-2 and C-3

S.no Day C-1 (%) C-2(%) C-3(%)

1 1st 2.3 1.7 1

2 2nd 2.6 2.3 1.6

3 3rd 3.1 2.5 2.1

4 4th 3.6 3 2.5

5 5th 4.5 3.6 3

6 6th 4.8 4 3.3

7 7th 5.3 4.5 3.5

8 8th 5.6 4.6 3.6

9 9th 6.0 5 3.7

10 10th 6.5 5.5 3.8

The poor resistance (water) of the sample composites is primarily due to the
attention of OH groups and water molecules present in the fabricated material, that
easily react with hydrogen bonding and dispersing moisture content into the
composites.

This leads to dimensional changes in the specimen like thickness and linear
expansion and finally causes micro-cracking. The initial intake of water will be high
for all compositions and thereafter it remains to be constant. It is clear that the water
absorption of fabricated composite increases with an increase in the immersion time.

The below graph shows the dimensional variance of three different composite
materials out of which the composite sample gains more change in their shape and sizes.
The change in shape or size of the sample took place at regular intervals of time as we
have noticed in the water absorption analysis too. The percentage thickness of C-3 gives
better results when compared to the other two samples. It starts with 1% in 24 hrs and
continues with approximately 3.5% when time is around 240 hrs (10 days). Hence C-3
composite sample is considered to be more stable in terms of thickness swelling when
compared to the other two composite materials.

26
Figure 4.6: Effect of % of thickness swelling on sample composites C-1, C-2, C-3

27
 CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSIONS & SCOPE FOR FUTURE WORK

5.1. Conclusions

1. The effect of filled particles on Thermal, swelling and absorption behaviour of

the glass fibre/particles filled composites are observed in this study.

2. The thermal and swelling properties of composites are influenced by filled

particles which are Prosopis juliflora, Boron nitride and Glass fibre.

3. The filling of juliflora boron nitride and glass fibre improved the thermal and
dimensional stabilities of the composites.

4. Water absorption behaviour is also found to be greatly influenced by filled

particles.

5. The thermal stability is found to be maximum for C-2 type (Epoxy-50 wt%,
Glass Fibre-30 wt%, Boron nitride-10 wt% and juliflora-10 wt%).

6. Water absorption and dimensional stability of the C-3 type are found to be more
effective compared to the other two composites types.

5.2. Scope For Future Work

1. Natural fiber materials such as bamboo, jute, pineapple leaves fiber etc, can
be used as reinforcing material, in order to binding properties of composites.
2. Manufacturing methods like injection moulding, compression moulding,
resin transfer moulding, etc., can be used for fabrication.
3. Further research on glass fiber and particle filled composites would help in
finding the most promising composition of particulate content for best
mechanical properties.

28
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