Characterization & Mechanical Property Analysis of Al2O3 Filled Flax/Unsaturated polyester composite

Abstract

This thesis has endeavored to develop Al2O3 filled natural fiber reinforced polymer
composite which can be able to substitute the most widely used synthetic E-glass fiber
material. The research is found indispensable that E-glass fiber reinforcing material has
several drawbacks related to renewable source, biodegradability, density, energy and
harmfulness to health. Taking these limitations as a foot-print, 0, 5, 10 and 15wt%
Al2O3 filled chopped flax/unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) composite has developed
by the conventional hand layup followed by a compression molding process. It
comprises the detail manufacturing process of the chopped flax/UPR-Al2O3 filled
composite, preparation of test specimens and testing methods using ASTM standards.
Test results of these depict that both physical and mechanical properties of the base
chopped flax/UPR composite are all affected due to the inclusion and variation of the
content of Al2O3 in 15 and 25wt% fiber loading cases. Uniform distribution of the filler
and strong interfacial adhesion has observed in 15/UPR-5, 15/UPR-10 and 25/UPR-5
compositions. Water resistance behavior of the developed composite has also discussed
and higher water resistance has observed in 15/UPR-15 and 25/UPR-5 compositions. It
was also able to gain a 39.06% increase in the ultimate tensile strength of the composite
in 25/UPR-5 composition. The effect of Al2O3 on the Charpy impact strength of the
base chopped flax/UPR composite has also analyzed and a 45% increase has observed
in 15/UPR-10 composition. The comparison of the current research findings with
previous related works has also included. It is found that the newly developed
composite is applicable to manufacture automotive mud guard and engine undercover
with minimum cost. It is also recommended to make the roof cover of a three-wheel
taxi (Bajaj) in place of Hypalon (a thermosetting polymer material)