International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE)

ISSN: 2277-3878, Volume-8 Issue-4, November 2019

Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Tensile

Characters of Prosopis Juliflora Fiber-Reinforced
Phenol Formaldehyde Composites
A. Sujin Jose, S.R. Breesha, G. Godwin, S.A. Ananthapuri

Abstract: The experimentally perceived tensile characters
(tensile strength and tensile modulus) of Prosopis juliflora fiber
reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites with different fiber
aspect ratios (FAR) and fiber loadings (FL) have been fabricated
and compared with the prevailing reinforcement theories. This
analysis illustrates that the most favorable fiber aspect ratio and
fiber loading of Prosopis Juliflora Fiber reinforced PF
composites. FAR136 and 20 weight% of fiber loading were found
as good combination to attain better bonding with superior
mechanical characteristics in the Phenol Formaldehyde polymer
matrix. In this study, an evaluation is made between theoretical
models and experimental data. Theoretical models like parallel
and series, Halpin-Tsai and modified Halpin-Tsai have been
trying to fit the experimental data.
Keywords: Phenol Formaldehyde, Prosopis juliflora fiber
Yan Cao et al concluded that the new modified ROM model is
more appropriate to predict the mechanical behaviors of flax
fiber/wood fiber plastic composites [7]. The focus of this
experimentation is to characterize the tensile characters of
Prosopis juliflora reinforced phenol formaldehyde
composites due to the limited research carried out on it. The
comparison between the experimentally found tensile values
with expected values has been carried out by parallel and
series, Halpin-Tsai and modified Halpin-Tsai theoretical
models.
II. MATERIALS & METHODS
A. Materials

I. INTRODUCTION The Prosopis Juliflora fibers were extracted physically from

the stem of the Prosopis Juliflora tree. It was used as a
The increasing requirement for novel materials with better reinforcing element for phenol formaldehyde polymer resin
properties in various scientific fields such as aircraft,
matrix. The physical behaviors and chemical constituents of
electronics and automotive industries has directed to the
development of healthier, eco-friendly and economy polymer Prosopis Juliflora fibers are shown in Table 1. The matrix and
composites. Natural plant fiber reinforced polymer additives used for this study such as Phenol formaldehyde
composites have enhanced competent interests in the past resin, divinylbenzene (cross-linking medium) and
years because they have low cost, reasonable specific Hydrochloric acid (acidic catalyst) was purchased from Pooja
mechanical properties, low density, biodegradability and Chemicals, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India.
reduced energy consumption when compared to glass fiber
Table 1. Chemical compositions and physical characters of
composites. [1-3]. G. Kalaprasad et al was fabricated
Prosopis Juliflora Fibers. [7]
polyethylene composites using short sisal fiber and the
experimental tensile properties were very close to
Chemical composition Physical characters
theoretically predict values [4]. Yashwant. S. Munde et al was
prepared polypropylene composites using coir fiber with
Thickness in
varying fiber length and volume and the tensile properties 0.290 - 1.530
were compared with theoretical models [5]. Shrikant. S. Cellulose content % 54.6
mm
Shinde et al compared the experimental values of the tensile
characters of jute fiber reinforced polyurethane composites Hemicellulose 23.2 Length in mm 11-34
with theoretical models. A good agreement is found between content % 1
experimental and calculated values [6]. Density in
18.1 0.4 – 0.8
Lignin content %
9 g/cm2

Ultimate
115 - 528
MoistureContent % 1.8
Revised Manuscript Received on November 15, 2019. Stress, MPa
A. Sujin Jose, Department of Automobile Engg, New Horizon College of
Engineering, Bangalore, India. Email: sujinjoseer@gmail.com Rate of Strain
S.R.Breesha, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engg, Lourdes 1.58 – 1.79
Ash Content % 2.13
Mount College of Engineering and Technology, Kanyakumari Dist, India. in %
Email: breesha21@gmail.com
G. Godwin, Department of Mechanical Engg, Lourdes Mount College of
Engineering and Technology, Kanyakumari Dist, India. Email:
B. Methods: Theoretical Modeling
godwin11g@gmail.com
S.A.Ananthapuri, Department of Mechanical Engg, Lourdes Mount Mathematical models were used to find out the
College of Engineering and Technology, Kanyakumari Dist, India. Email:
asasujin@gmail.com mechanical characters of NFRP composites.

Published By:
Retrieval Number: B1690078219/2019©BEIESP Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering
DOI: 10.35940/ijeat.B1690.129219 5564 & Sciences Publication
 Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Tensile Characters of Prosopis Juliflora Fiber-Reinforced
Phenol Formaldehyde Composites
The advantage of theoretical determination of mechanical
properties is to reduce the expensive and time-consuming
experiments. The best composition of matrix and
reinforcements in the composite may be determined by
theoretical modeling.
The models derived on the basis of the tensile characters of
each components of the composites. The characters of each
component were used for predicting the mechanical behaviors
of the composite specimens are
Elastic modulus of fiber (Ef) & Matrix (Em)
Tensile strength of fiber (Tf) & Matrix (Tm)
Relative volume fractions of fiber (Vf) Matrix (Vm)
The different theoretical models like parallel and
series, Halpin-Tsai and modified Halpin-Tsai are used to
determine the mechanical characters of the composites.
a. Parallel and Series Model
Tensile strength values and tensile modulus
values are calculated by using the equation as [5]
Parallel Model:
(1)
(2)
Series Model:
Mc = MfVf + MmVm (3)
Tc = TfVf + TmVm (4)
The tensile modulus of composite, matrix and fiber are
denoted as Mc, Mm, Mf and tensile strength of composite,
matrix and fiber are denoted as Tc, Tm, Tf
b. Halpin Tsai Model
In line with Halpin Tsai Model Tensile
strength and tensile modulus were calculated by
using the equation as [5]
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
Where „ƞ‟ is the relative module of fiber and matrix, „A‟ is the
measure of fiber distribution, fiber geometry and fiber loading
conditions which is determined from the Einstein co-efficient
c. Modified Halpin Tsai Model
As stated by Modified Halpin Tsai Model
Tensile strength and modulus values are calculated by
using the equation as [5]
Retrieval Number: B1690078219/2019©BEIESP
DOI: 10.35940/ijeat.B1690.129219 5565
(9)
(10)
Where Ψ is based on the particle packing fraction
III. EXPERIMENTATION
Prosopis Juliflora phenol formaldehyde composite
specimens were prepared for various Fiber Aspect Ratios of
46, 136 and 227 mm and fiber loadings of 4.88, 10.34, 16.51,
23.53 and 31.58 weight% by hand lay-up method. At first
mold box with the dimensions of 15 × 15 × 0.3 cm was de-
veloped in the laboratory for fabrication. Mansion polish wax
used as releasing agent which was applied on the surface of
the mold cavity initially. Application of releasing agent helps
us to take out the cured composite specimens without damage.
Mechanical roller was used for spreading the fibers
consistently in the mold box. Using mechanical stirrer, the
blend of Phenol Formaldehyde resin, acidic catalyst and
cross-linking agent was prepared and dispensed into the mold
cavity. After pouring the composite blend the mold cavity
sealed and kept under constant pressure for 24 hours at
atmospheric temperature.
A. Characterization of composite specimens
Tensile property assessments were accomplished as per
ASTM D638 standard and 2 mm/min crosshead speed was
maintained in a computerized universal testing machine at
room temperature. Five composite sample specimens in each
combination were tested to determine the tensile characters.
The average values of all composites were reported.
IV. RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
A. Experimental Tensile Properties
The average results of five repetitions from tensile tests of the
Prosopis Juliflora Fiber reinforced Phenol Formaldehyde
composite samples prepared by three different fiber aspect
ratio and five different loading percentage of fibers. The
effects of Fiber Aspect Ratio with fiber loading was conferred
independently to discover the appropriate (optimum) Fiber
aspect ratio and fiber loading since FAR and fiber loading are
influencing factors in the mechanical characters of natural
fiber reinforced polymer composites.
From Figure 1, it can be realized that the tensile behaviors
of FAR136 composites are better compared to other
composites at all fiber loadings. Through this investigation
PJF/PF with FAR136 and fiber loading of 20% were
perceived as an optimized FAR and fiber loading to attain the
best tensile properties.
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 International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE)
The graph evidently proves the increasing tendency of tensile
strength value up to 20 weight % of fiber loading, then it is
dropped. The tensile strength value of 20 weight% fiber
content composite specimens was found to be 17.2% greater
than the un-reinforced neat resin sample.
Fig1. Tensile Properties of PJF/PF Composite specimens
of different fiber loading and FAR
B. Comparison of experimental results with theoretical
predicted values
Prosopis Juliflora reinforced Phenol Formaldehyde
composite specimens were categorized as per the Fiber
Aspect Ratios and fiber loadings. Prosopis Juliflora Fiber
reinforced Phenol Formaldehyde composite specimens with a
Fiber Aspect Ratio of 136 shows improved and maximum lev-
el of tensile characters compared with other samples. The
tensile properties of FAR136 Prosopis Juliflora Phenol
Formaldehyde composite specimens were compared with
theoretical expected tensile values using the theoretical
models like parallel and series, Halpin-Tsai and modified
Halpin-Tsai.
Fig 2. Variation in the experimental and theoretical
model
In equations 5,6,7 and 8 „A‟ is the measure of fiber geometry,
fiber distribution and fiber loading conditions which is
determined by Einstein co-efficient. The tensile modulus and
tensile strength values of composite specimens was calculated
by means of parallel and series, Halpin-Tsai and modified
Halpin-Tsai models. The results of theoretical models show
that very realistic relationship be present between the
theoretical values and experimental values
Retrieval Number: B1690078219/2019©BEIESP
DOI: 10.35940/ijeat.B1690.129219 5566
ISSN: 2277-3878, Volume-8 Issue-4, November 2019
V.CONCLUSION
Mechanical behaviors of Prosopis Juliflora fiber reinforced
Phenol Formaldehyde composites was conducted. Tensile
properties were improved linearly with the addition of fiber
content (fiber loading) from 10 weight% to 20 weight %. The
tensile properties were decreased by the addition of 25
weight% of fiber content in all cases of Fiber Aspect Ratios.
In all the cases the specimens FAR136 and 20 weight% fiber
loading were found as optimized composition to accomplish
the best mechanical properties. In this comparative study no
more significant difference between the theoretical predicted
values and the experimental values of the composites in all
levels of Fiber Aspect Ratios and the fiber addition. Tensile
behaviors of the composites calculated by theoretical
formulas were compared with experimentally obtained values
which shows the good agreement among them. The optimum
percentage of fiber and aspect ratio increase the bonding
between resin matrix and natural fibers.
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Fiber-reinforced Phenol Formaldehyde Composites” Fibers & Textiles
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AUTHORS PROFILE
Dr.A. Sujin Jose is presently working as
Associate Professor in New Horizon college of
Engineering, Bangalore. He acquired BE
(Mechanical Engineering) & ME (Manufacturing
Engineering) degrees from Anna University,
Chennai. He also did his research on Engineering
Materials at Anna University. He has 10 years of
teaching experience and published more than 15 research papers in various
International and National journals and Conferences.
Published By:
Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering
& Sciences Publication
 Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Tensile Characters of Prosopis Juliflora Fiber-Reinforced
Phenol Formaldehyde Composites
Dr.S.R.Breesha is presently working as Assistant
Professor in Lourdes Mount college of Engineering and
Technology, Kanyakumari. She acquired BE & ME
degrees from Anna University, Chennai. She also did her
doctoral work at Noorul Islam University, Kanyakumari
Dist. She has 3 years of teaching experience and published more than 10
research papers in various International and National journals and
Conferences.

Author-3 Mr.G.Godwin has completed graduation in Mechanical

Photo Engineering from Anna University, at Chennai, Tamil
Nadu. He has completed post-graduation in Engineering
Design from Anna University, Chennai. Currently, he is
working as Assistant Professor in Lourdes Mount College
of Engineering & Technology, Kanyakumari Dt, Tamil Nadu, India. He has
2 years of teaching experience and published more than 6 research papers in
national, International conferences and reputed national journals.

Mr.S.A.Ananthapuri has completed graduation in

Aeronautical Engineering from Noorul Islam University,
at Kumaracoil, Tamil Nadu, India and post-graduation in
Thermal Engineering from Anna University, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu, India. Currently, he is working as Assistant
Professor in Lourdes Mount College of Engineering &
Technology Mullanganavilai, Kanyakumari Dt, Tamil Nadu. He has 2 years
of teaching experience and published more than 6 research papers in
national, International conferences and reputed national journals.

Published By:
Retrieval Number: B1690078219/2019©BEIESP Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering
DOI: 10.35940/ijeat.B1690.129219 5567 & Sciences Publication