Experimental Investigation On Mechanical Properties Of Hybrid Jute Fiber Reinforced Composites

IDL - International Digital Library Of
Technology & Research
Volume 1, Issue 3, Apr 2017 Available at: www.dbpublications.org
International e-Journal For Technology And Research-2017
IDL - International Digital Library 1 | P a g e Copyright@IDL-2017
Experimental Investigation On Mechanical
Properties Of Hybrid Jute Fiber Reinforced
Composites
M Phani Bhushan 1
, Mukesh G 2
, P Yuva Kishore 3
, Rajath A T 4
,
Praveen B A5
,
UG Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NMIT Bangalore, Karnataka, India1, 2, 3, 4
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NMIT Bangalore, Karnataka, India5
Abstract: The composite manufacturing has been
a wide area of research and it is the preferred choice
due to its superior properties like low density,
stiffness, light weight and possesses better mechanical
properties.
This has found its wide applications in aerospace,
automotive, marine and sporting industries. There has
been continuous lookout for synthesizing composites
without compromising on the mechanical and physical
properties. In this project, fiber reinforced composites
is preparing with jute fibers & glass fiber of fiber
length 5-6 mm.
The resins used in this study are epoxy. The prepared
composites were tested to study the mechanical
properties of the composite such as tensile strength,
flexural strength, impact strength and hardness.
Keywords: Composites, epoxy, glass fiber &
Jute fibers
1. INTRODUCTION
For the sake of simplicity, however, composites can be
grouped into categories based on the nature of the
matrix each type possesses. Methods of fabrication
also vary according to physical and chemical
properties of the matrices and reinforcing fibers.
1.1 Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC)
Most commonly used matrix materials are polymeric.
The reasons for this are two-fold. In general the
mechanical properties of polymers are inadequate for
many structural purposes. In particular their strength
and stiffness are low compared to metals and
ceramics. These difficulties are overcome by
reinforcing other materials with polymers. Secondly
the processing of polymer matrix composites need not
involve high pressure and does not require high
temperature. Also equipments required for
manufacturing polymer matrix composites are simpler.
For this reason polymer composites developed rapidly
and soon became popular for structural applications.
Polymer composites are used because overall
properties of the composites are superior to those of
the individual polymers. They have a greater elastic
modulus than the neat polymer but are not as brittle as
ceramics. Polymeric matrix composites are composed
of a matrix from thermoset (unsaturated polyester,
epoxy or thermoplastic polycarbonate,
polyvinylchloride, nylon, polystyrene and embedded
glass, carbon, steel or Kevlar fibers (dispersed phase).
The potential applications of polymer composites
include consumer goods (sewing machines, doors,
bathtubs, tables, chairs, computers, printers, etc),
sporting goods industry (golf shafts, tennis rackets,
snow skis, fishing rods, etc.), aerospace industry
(doors, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, wing skins,
fin boxes, flaps, and various other structural
components), marine applications (passenger ferries,
power boats, buoys, etc.), automotive industry
(molecular structure after curing. They decompose
instead of melting on hardening. Merely changing the
basic composition of the resin is enough to alter the

conditions suitably for curing and determine its other
characteristics. They can be retained in a partially
cured condition too over prolonged periods of time,
rendering Thermosets very flexible. Thus, they are
most suited as matrix bases for advanced conditions
fiber reinforced composites. Thermosets find wide
ranging applications in the chopped fiber composites
form particularly when a premixed or moulding
compound with fibers of specific quality.[1]
Figure 1: Thermoset resin
Figure 1.1: Reinforced based composites
1.2 Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites
Fiber-reinforced polymer composites have played a
dominant role for a long time in a variety of
applications for their high specific strength and
modulus. The manufacture, use and removal of
traditional fiber–reinforced plastic, usually made of
glass, carbon or aramid fibers–reinforced
thermoplastic and thermoset resins are considered
critically because of environmental problems. By
natural fiber composites we mean a composite
material that is reinforced with fibers, particles or
platelets from natural or renewable resources, in
contrast to for example carbon or aramid fibers that
have to be synthesized. Natural fibers include those
made from plant, animal and mineral sources. Natural
fibers can be classified according to their origin. The
detailed classification is shown in Figure 1.2
Figure 1.2: Classification of natural fibers
The composite manufacturing techniques can be
classified into two categories:
A. Open mould process
a) Hand lay-up process
b) Spray up process
c) Vacuum-bag auto clave process
d) Filament winding process
B. Closed mould process
a) Compression moulding
b) Injection moulding
c) Sheet moulding compound (SMC) process
d) Continuous pultrusion process
In this experimental procedure we have used vaccum
bag method has shown in figure 1.3 [2]

Figure 1.3: From clockwise applying the binding
agent. Applying bleeder sheet. Enclosing vacuum
bag on to the composite. Fixing suction cup to the
Vacuum bag.
2 AIM OF THE PROJECT
 To determine the posibility of weight and
cost reduction of the composite / Hybrid
composite‟ by reinforcing it with jute fiber &
glass fiber.
 To fabricate the specimens to the ASTM
standards using ― VACCUM MOULDING‖
process for the following combinations.
Table 1: Composition of the laminates
Specimen
Number
Number Of
Layers
Layer compositions
JF(JUTE FABRIC)
GF(GLASS FABRIC)
1 7 JF-GF-JF-GF-JF-GF-
JF
2 7 GF-JF-GF-JF-GF-JF-
GF
GF-JF-GF
GF-JF-GF-JF-GF
 To Examine the strength and properties of the
hybrid composite (glass fiber-jute fiber)
through mechanical testing.
 To compare the strength and properties and to
Determine the best among the composition
among the four laminates.
 To compare the results with same layers and
for different layers. And variation with
respect to thickness of the laminate.
 Based on the results evaluated specific
application is determined.[3]
3. SELECTION OF THE
MATERIALS
Glass Fabric , Yawn Jute fabric, Epoxy Resin L-12and
Hardner k-6 was supplied by atul polymers The jute
fiber are mainly composed of cellulose, lignin and
pectin. Jute fiber are usually off-white to brown in
colour and have length in range of 4 mm and 10 to
25μm breath. Whereas glass fiber cloth measures as
72x40 in., The leaves of the jute fiber have long length
and soft with shiny appearance. The properties of
glass fiber and Jute fiber are given in Table 2 [4]
Table 2:Raw materials used vaccum moulding
Figure 1.5: Jute fabric
Material used
Matrix Lapox L 12
Reinforcement Glass fabric (unidirectional) &
Jute fabric
Hardner K-6

Figure 1.6: Glass fabric
Figure 1.7: Lapox L-12 & hardner K-6
3.1 METHODOLOGY
Figure 1.4: Flow Chart of Experimental Work
3.2 MANUFACTURING METHOD
The fabrication of the various composite materials is
carried out through the vacuum moulding technique.
The mould used for preparing composites is made
from two rectangular chromium-Plated stainless steel
sheets having dimensions of 300 mm × 300 mm. Four
beadings were used to maintain a 3 mm thickness all
around the mould plates realise film and sealant tape is
covered around the vacuum bag. The functions of the
suction cup is to compress the glass and jute fiber after
the epoxy is applied, pressure of 700 MPA is applied
Through the suction cup and vacuum is applied
through the mould for 2 hours. And then left 24 hours
For curing as shown in figure 1.4[6]
Figure 1.5: vacuum moulding

3.3 SPECIMEN CALCULATIONS
For Jute/Glass/Epoxy fabrication, the Jute/Glass fibres
were laid uniformly over the mould before applying
any releasing agent or epoxy. After arranging the
fibres uniformly, they were compressed for a few
minutes in the mould. Then the compressed form of
Jute/Glass fibres is removed from the mould. This was
followed by applying the releasing agent on the
mould, after which a coat of epoxy was applied. The
compressed fibres were laid over the coat of epoxy,
ensuring uniform distribution of fibres. Alternative
layers of jute and glass is laid up and the epoxy
mixture is then poured over the fibres uniformly and
compressed for a curing time of 24 h. After the curing
process, test samples were cut to the required sizes
prescribed in the ASTM standards.[5]
Volume of the composite = 30×30×0.36 = 324cc
Volume of jute fibre VJF =
= = 45.52cc
Volume of glass fibre VGF = = 32.47cc
Volume of fibre = VJF + VGF = 77.99cc
VOLUME FRACTION
Volume fraction of Jute VJF =
= = 14.40%
Volume fraction of Glass VGF =
= = 10.02%
Total volume fraction of the fibres = 24.42%
VF + VM = 1
VM = 1- 0.2442
Hence, Volume fraction of epoxy resin = 75.58%
Volume % of resin = 324 × = 244.87cc
Weight of the resin = 244.87 × 1.12 (Density of epoxy
resin)
= 274.25gm
Weight of the hardener = = 27.425gm
Total weight of the laminate = Weight of Jute Fibre +
Weight of
Glass Fibre +
Weight of
Epoxy Resin +
Weight of
Hardener
Total weight of the laminate = 66.45+82.8+348 =
497.25gm
WEIGHT FRACTION
Weight fraction of Jute WJ =
= = 13.36
%
Weight fraction of Glass fibre WG = = 16.6%
Total weight fraction of the fibres = 30.01%
Weight fraction of resin = = 64.76

Table 3 : Results for sample calculations
Material Weight
(gm)
Volume
fraction
Weight
fraction
Jute fibre 66.45 gm 14.40 % 13.36 %
Glass fibre 82.8 gm 10.02 % 16.65 %
Resin 348 gm 75.58 % 70 %
Table 4. Mechanical properties of the materials
3.3 EXPERIMENTAL TEST
The hybrid composite materials seven, nine and eleven
layer plate were fabricated by using Jute, glass and
epoxy. Tensile test, Bending test and Impact test, were
done on the specimens to find out the mechanical
properties. Before going testing in specimens, will be
cut with the help of Carbide cutter .The specimens
were notched as per ASTM D-3039 standard. The test
were done to determine the values of tensile strength,
Bending and impact strength. The tensile test for two
specimen pieces were performed in the universal
testing machine and impact test were done with the
help of Izod impact testing machine.[7]
3.4 TENSILE TEST
The specimen is tested under Hydraulic Testing
Machine by keeping the loading rate constant of 20
KN. A tensile load is applied on the specimen until it
fractures. During the tensile test, certain elongation
were done on the material due to the load which will
be recorded. A load elongation curve is plotted by an
x-y recorder, so that the tensile behavior of the
material .Dimensions (165*13)mm[8]
Figure 3: Tensile test specimen dimensions
3.5 FLEXURE TEST
The specimen is tested on UTM-machine. It is mainly
used to find the ability of a material to be bend before
the breaking point. The specimens were notched as per
ASTM-D 790-03 standard.[9]
Figure 3.5: Test specimen
3.6 IMPACT TEST
The specimen is tested on Izod Impact Testing
Machine. The test specimen is clamped upright in an
anvil, with a V-notch at the level of the top of the
clamp. The test specimen will be hit by a striker
carried on a pendulum which is allowed to fall freely
from a fixed height, to give a blow of nearly 120 ft lb
energy. After fracturing the test piece, the height to
which the pendulum rises is recorded by a slave
friction pointer mounted on the dial. It is mainly used
to find the absorbed amount of energy in the
specimens. The specimens were notched as per
ASTM-D 256-05 standard.[10]
Properties Jute Glass Lapox –
L12
Youngs modulus
(Gpa)
74 33 3.7
Density(gm/cc) 1.46 2.55 1.12
Moisture
absorption
6.9 0.5 _
Tensile
strength(mpa)
230 630 60
Specific gravity
(gm/cc)
1.3 2.5 1.08

Figure 3.6 : Impact test
3.7 BRINELL HARDNESS TEST
Brinell hardness test was conducted on the specimen
using a standard Brinell hardness tester. A load of 250
kg was applied on the specimen for 30 sec using 10
mm diameter hard metal ball indenter and the
indentation diameter was measured using a
microscope. The hardness was measured at three
different locations of the specimen and the average
value was calculated. The indentation was measured
and hardness was calculated using Equation.
Figure 3.7 : Brinell hardness test
3.8 MOISTURE ABSORPTION
TEST
The test specimen for sheets shall be in the form of a
bar 76.2 mm (3 in.) long by 25.4 mm (1 in.) wide by
the thickness of the material. When comparison of
absorption values with molded plastics is desired,
specimens 3.2 mm. [11]
Twenty-Four Hour Immersion—the conditioned
specimens shall be placed in a container of distilled
water maintained at a temperature of 23 6 1°C (73.4 6
1.8°F), and shall rest on edge and be entirely
immersed. At the end of 24, +1⁄2, −0 h, the specimens
shall be removed from the water one at a time, all
surface water wiped off with a dry cloth, and weighed
to the nearest 0.001 g immediately. If the specimen is
1⁄16 in. or less in thickness, it shall be put in a
weighing bottle immediately after wiping and weighed
in the bottle. This test method for rate of water
absorption has two chief functions: ﬁrst, as a guide to
the proportion of water absorbed by a material and
consequently, in those cases where the relationships
between moisture and electrical or mechanical
properties, dimensions, or appearance have been
determined, as a guide to the effects of exposure to
water or humid conditions on such properties; and
second, as a control test on the uniformity of a product
4 RESULTS FOR TENSILE TEST
Table 5: RESULTS FOR TENSILE TEST
Specimens Ultimate tensile strength
1(7 layers) 126.8N/sq.mm

Figure 4: Tensile strength comparison of different
specimen for various compositions
Figure 4.1: Breaking load comparison of different
specimen for various compositions
4.1 RESULTS FOR BHN
Table 6: RESULTS FOR BHN
Specimens BRINELL HARDNESS
NUMBER
1(7 layers) 133.06
2(7 layers) 160.67
3(9 layers) 187.01
4(11 layers) 208.14
4.4 RESULTS FOR MOISTURE
ABSORPTION TEST
Table 9: RESULTS FOR MOISTURE
ABSORPTION TEST
Specimen Initial Final Difference
reading
in
grams
reading
in
grams
between initial
reading and
final reading in
%
1(7 layers) 9.26 9.572 5.31%
2(7 layers) 7.99 8.206 2.88%
3(9 layers) 12.49 12.85 2.703%
4(11 layers) 13.90 14.152 1.82%
4.5 SCANNING ELECTRON
MICROSCOPE
In order to determine the microscopic structure of the
composite and in depth analysis of the composite we
have to study the images of scanning electron
microscope. Gold sputtering is done to the samples
because these composites aren’t conductive like metals
Hence in order to get conductions of electrons we have
to make use of gold sputtering.

The above SEM images shows the morphology of jute
and glass fiber PMCs. Specimen 4.4 gives the
micrograph of 4 layers of jute fiber and 3 layers of
glass fiber. Specimen 4.5 gives the micrograph of 4
layers of glass fiber and 3 layers of jute fiber.
Specimen 4.6 gives the micrograph of 4 layers of jute
fiber and 5 layers of glass fiber. Specimen 4.7 gives
the micrograph of 5 layers of jute fiber and 6 layers of
glass fiber. The above figure depicts fairly uniform
distribution of fiber.
fiber and 3 layers of glass fiber. Specimen 4.9 gives
the micrograph of 4 layers of glass fiber and 3 layers
of jute fiber. Specimen 5.0 gives the micrograph of 4
layers of jute fiber and 5 layers of glass fiber.
fiber and 6 layers of glass fiber. The above figure
depicts fairly uniform distribution of surface layer of
PMCs.
5 CONCULSION
The jute and glass hybrid composite specimen are
prepared and subjected to tensile loading ,brinell
hardness ,moisture absorption, flexural loading.
From the experiment the following conclusions are
derived
 Glass and jute hybrid composite samples
possess good tensile strength and can
withstand the strength up to 129.0 MPa.
 According to the hardness results, the
composite samples having more percentage
of glass fiber has highest value of brinell
hardness test value of 208.14 BHN while
composite having more percentage of jute
fiber has the lowest brinell hardness test
value of 133.04 BHN.
 The failure morphology of the tested samples
is examined by using Scanning Electron
Microscope.
 From the results, it can be concluded that the
samples having more percentage of glass
fiber performing better for tensile loading.

IDL - International Digital Library 10 | P a g e Copyright@IDL-
2017
REFERENCES
[1] Hybrid Glass Fibre- Sisal/Jute Reinforced Epoxy
Composites
M.Ramesha, K.Palanikumar
[2] Physical and Mechanical Properties of Bi-
directional Jute Fibre epoxy Composites
Vivek Mishra, Sandhyarani Biswas
[3] Mechanical Properties of Coconut Fibers
Reinforced Polyester Composites
Mulinari, D.R.a*; Baptista, C.A.R.P.b; Souza, J. V.
C.a; Voorwald, H.J.C.c
[4] Mechanical properties of HDPE/textile fibres
composites
[5] Mechanical behavior of natural fiber composites
.
[6] Tensile behavior of environment friendly jute
epoxy laminated composite.
[7] A review of recent developments in natural fibre
composites and their mechanical performance.
[8] D3039 Standard Test Method for Tensile
Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials.
[9] ASTM-D 790-03 Standard test Method for flexure
Strength of polymer matrix composite materials
[10] ASTM-D per ASTM-D 256-05 Standard test
Method for impact test for polymer matrix composite
materials
[11] ASTM per ASTM-D 570 Standard test water
absorption of plastics

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