This document outlines a project to study epoxy-based composite materials reinforced with short glass fibers and natural fibers. The objectives are to fabricate the composites, study their mechanical behavior, examine the effect of alkali treatment on natural fibers, and analyze composite surfaces using SEM. Methodology includes alkali treatment of fibers, composite fabrication, and mechanical testing - tensile, flexural, and impact tests. Characterization will provide insight into how fiber reinforcement and treatments influence composite properties. The estimated cost is low due to inexpensive and accessible materials.

1. Project Coordinator:
EPOXY
BASED
COMPOSITE
MATERIALS
Mr. Sunil Chamoli
BY-:
Meenu Bhandari

2. COMPOSITE MATERIALS..??

Composite materials are materials made from two or more
constituent materials with significantly different properties, that
when combined, produce a material with characteristics
different from the individual components.

Composite materials consist of two or more chemically distinct
constituent on a macro scale having a dispersed interface
separating them and having bulk performance which is
considerably different from those of any of its individual
constituents.

Examples: Cement, Concrete, Fiber-reinforced polymer, etc.

3. CLASSIFICATION
Composites can be classified according to different criteria:
 Metal matrix composites
eg: Carbon fibers in Aluminium matrix

Ceramic matrix composites
eg: Conventional SiC or the less expensive SiSiC

Polymer matrix composites
eg: Thermoset, Thermoplastic, Rubber

4. OBJECTIVE OF WORK
1.
2.
3.
4.
Fabrication of epoxy based composites reinforced
with short glass fibers and natural fibers.
Study the mechanical behavior of the composites.
Study the effect of alkali treatment on behavior of
the composites.
Study the surface morphology of the composites
using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

5. RAW MATERIALS
Natural fibers (bamboo fiber, coir)
 Glass fiber
 Epoxy resin
 Hardener
 NaOH alkali


6. MATRIX MATERIAL




Different types like metals, ceramics and
polymers.
Polymer matrices are most commonly used
matrix materials due to its advantages like cost
efficiency, light weight, high strength to weight
ratio and environmental friendly.
Most commonly used thermoset resins are epoxy,
vinyl ester, polyester resin, etc.
Epoxy resin will be used for the fabrication of
composites in the project.

7. FIBER MATERIAL

Fiber is a reinforcing phase of composite
materials.

Fibers which will be used in the project:
1. Natural fibers (bamboo fiber, coir)
2. Glass fiber

8. FIBERS REQUIRED

9. METHODOLOGY


Treatment of Fiber using alkali (NaOH)
Fabrication of Composite Materials

10. MECHANICAL TESTING
Tensile test
 Flexural (bending) test
 Impact test
 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)


11. TENSILE TEST
The tensile strength is determined by the tensile
test which is generally performed on flat
specimens using Universal Testing Machine
(UTM).
 During the test a uni-axial load is applied through
both the ends of the specimen.
 The test will be repeated three times on each
composite type and the mean value will be
considered.


12. STANDARD TENSILE
TEST SPECIMEN

13. FLEXURAL TEST

This test measures the force required to bend a
beam under 3-point loading conditions. The data
is often used to select materials for parts that will
support loads without flexing.

The test provides values for the modulus of
elasticity in bending, flexural stress and the flexural
strain of the material.

14. FLEXURAL TEST WITH
THREE POINT LOADING

15. IMPACT TEST

The Charpy impact test, also known as the Charpy
V-notch test, is a standardized high strain-rate test
which determines the amount of energy absorbed
by a material during fracture.

This absorbed energy is a measure of the
material's notch toughness.

16. IMPACT TEST

17. SCANNING ELECTRON
MICROSCOPY {SEM}

The morphological characterization of the
composite surface is done in scanning electron
microscope.

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a type of
electron microscope that produces images of a
sample by scanning it with a focused beam of
electrons.

18. SCANNING ELECTRON
MICROSCOPY

19. ESTIMATED COST AND TIME

The materials required for the fabrication of
composites are not costly and can be obtained
easily from the market at a minimal cost.

Price of Epoxy Resin = Rs. 160-180 per kg, our
requirement is approx. 3 kg.

Price of NaOH alkali = Rs. 40-45 per kg.

20. THANK YOU