Ajithram Arivendan

Fibre reinforced composites are widely employed in numerous diverse applications, especially within the automotive sector, owing to their relatively lower weights in comparison to metal structures. Our current work involves fabricating composite laminates measuring 300 mm by 300 mm, with varying ratios of fibre to resin (1:1.5, 1:1.75, 1:2, referring to the weight of fibre and resin), along with different orientations of the woven glass fibre and epoxy resin layers, namely (0° / 90° / 0° / 90°), (0° / 30° / 60° / 90°), and (0° / + 45° / 90° / −45°) on the woven glass fibres. In accordance with ASTM (American Society for Testing of Materials) standards, the laminated composites have been subjected to tests for mechanical properties, including impact, flexural, and tensile strength and it was achieved high strength compared to the other samples like 143 MPa, 192.5 MPa, and 15J. By analyzing the test results obtained from a range of ply orientations and strength-to-weight ratios, it is possible to determine which ply orientation and strength-to-weight ratio would be advantageous for the application of glass fibre reinforced polymer composites and could potentially serve as an alternative material. In the automotive industry, reducing the weight of vehicles is crucial as it directly correlates with improved fuel efficiency. By using glass fibre epoxy composites with the most suitable stacking sequences (such as those found to have excellent mechanical properties in this study), manufacturers can replace heavier metal components.

In this experiment Artocarpus hirsutus (AH) fiber was utilized as the filler material for bamboo fiber (NF)/polyethylene (PE) biocomposites. This was a waste to wealth approach by utilising biomaterial and also can reduce the use of PE plastics. The crystallinity index (Crl) of 45.1%, 56.4%, 67% was observed in AH, alkali treated (NaOH) and cellulose AH fiber respectively. The combination with 20 wt% NF/3 wt% cellulose AH filler observed better tensile and flexural strength. Agglomeration at 4, 5 wt% affects the flexural properties by lesser interfacial adhesion with filler/matrix phase, having properties reducing up to 20.3 MPa. Comparing to cellulose AH filler, both alkali treated and untreated AH filler combinations possess lesser flexural strength. The addition of natural fibers increases the tensile and flexural modulus property with better properties at 30 wt% NF/5 wt% cellulose AH filler combination. The Impact strength doesn’t observe high influence with filler incorporation. This AH fiber hasn’t been explored in detail for mechanical and hydrophilic properties with incorporation with PE matrix. This fabricated composite is suited for bioengineering applications.

Wear testing, in this research was conducted for compression molded flax and ramie fibers with epoxy resin matrix. The 40 wt% fiber combination was used for a fiber length (FL) of 0.5–1.5 cm while varying sliding distance (SD) ranged from 500 to 1500 m. Better results were obtained in 1000 m SD and 1 cm FL with a specific wear rate (SWR) of 13.12 × 10⁻⁵ mm³/Nm. Samples with 50 wt% natural fiber combinations were tried with different FL (0.5–1.5 cm) and sliding speed (SS) from 0.5 to 1.5 m/s. Sliding speed increased the contact between the sample and the counter steel disc, which caused high wear rate in the specimen. A high SWR was observed for the combination of SS 1.5 m/s, 0.5 cm FL due to high contact and with lower adhesion of fiber/matrix phase than in the others. Higher FL damages the compatibility of matrix/reinforcement phases, which makes the epoxy sample highly brittle with less wear resistance. The combination of 30 wt% natural fiber with FL (0.5–1.5 cm) and load 5–15 N showed high wear rate at a higher load of 15 N (31.57 × 10⁻⁵ mm³/Nm). SEM results with 50 wt% NF combination, 0.5 cm FL at 5 N load showed high deformation in the natural fiber structure compared to the 40 wt% NF combination, mainly due to the adhesion of fiber with epoxy resin which acted as a stress transfer area allowing transfer of more loads.

The manufacturing of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles has been accomplished utilizing a green technique that relies on biologically reliable mechanisms. Aqueous solutions of copper nitrate and Ixora Coccinea leaf extract are used in an environmentally safe process for creating CuO nanoparticles. The characterization of the synthesized CuO nanoparticles involves the utilization of techniques such as X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetricanalysis (TGA). CuO nanoparticles are confirmed by XRD and FTIR peak results. When the particles are measured, they range between 93.75 nm and 98.16 nm, respectively. The produced CuO nanoparticles are used to prepare the nanofluid. While conventional water exhibits a 3 °C temperature difference, nanofluid achieves a considerable temperature differenceof 7 °C. As a result, it is clear that the nanofluid performs better at dispersing heat into the environment. The experiment’s overall findings support the possibility of ecologically friendly, green-synthesized CuO nanoparticle-induced nanofluid as an effective heattransfer fluid that can be applied to heattransfer systems.

This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties, absorption properties, morphology, and thermal properties of eggshell filler material combined with water hyacinth (WH) plant ash composites. This research aims to develop eco-friendly particle board and medium-density board products using WH plant ash particles for commercial applications. There is only a small amount of previous literature on ash particles with eggshell filler material derived from aquatic wastes of hyacinth plants combined with polymer composites. Eggshell powder is used in this study as a filler. This filler enhances the mechanical properties of hyacinth ash composites. As a result of the drying process and the open-air burning, ash particles are produced from the hyacinth plant. Mechanical (tensile, flexural, and impact) and absorption tests are conducted according to ASTM standards. In order to measure chemical and essential functions, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared techniques are used. By using a scanning electron microscope, it can be determined how ash particles bond, how eggshell powder combinations work, and how primary (ash particle) and secondary phase (epoxy) materials are absorbed. Based on the final experimental results, it appears that the composite hyacinth ash particle samples made with eggshell filler are highly recommended for particle board and medium-density board because of their mechanical strength and hardness.

Water Hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes) is a free-floating aquatic plant that is commonly found in local water bodies. Its quick emergence and rapid expansion are the main advantages, allowing it to cover entire water surfaces. The government considers the plant to be waste and has invested a significant amount of money to remove it from water bodies. This paper provides a brief overview of the effective use of water hyacinth in wastewater treatment, converting it into WH fiber. By utilizing the water hyacinth fiber and an epoxy matrix, a WH composite is produced. The hyacinth fiber reinforced composite samples attained 27.06 MPa tensile strength and 43.51 MPa flexural strength, and 1.25 J impact strength. Water hyacinth plant presented water bodies water level parameters are tested with the help of the suitcase method. Essential tests, such as mechanical testing, thermal behavior, and characterization techniques (XRD, FTIR, SEM, optical microscope inspection, and water and chemical absorption tests), are conducted. In conclusion, the results suggest that the water hyacinth plant could be better utilized in the production of commercial household applications and lightweight materials in the field of natural fiber composites.