• Developed and studied the mechanical behavior of a new biodegradable composite material. • Conducted Tensile and Flexural analysis of samples to test their properties. • Genetic algorithm method was used to obtain the maximum tensile and flexural strength. • The new material was used to make household items such as hangers, trash cans, and holders.

1. Mechanical Behavior analysis of Palm Fiber
Reinforced Hybrid Polymer Matrix Composites
School of Mechanical and Building Sciences,
VIT University, Vellore - 632014
Dr. G. Venkatachalam
Project Guide
Gautham Shankar (11BME0244)
Dasarath Raghav (11BME0197)
Krishna Kumar (11BME0270)

2. OBJECTIVE
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 2
• To reduce the dependency on plastics and to promote the use of hybrid
composites that is eco-friendly to the environment. This project
encourages the use of natural fibers which are abundantly available,
biodegradable and less used instead of synthetic fibers like glass or
nylon.
• Fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites are widely used in
automotive, marine and construction industries. Production of eco-
friendly composites reinforced with natural fibers will decrease the
dependence on synthetic resins which are generally by-product of
crude-oil production and synthetic fibers

3. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE
SURVEY
• The need for environmentally friendly substitutes for non-
biodegradable plastics is increasing world over.
• Reinforcement of fibers increases the mechanical properties of the
composite.
• Natural fibers are cheaper and readily available than synthetic fibers.
They also increase the biodegradability of the composite.
• Chemical treatment of the fiber increases the strength and
adhesiveness.
• Incorporation of Taguchi method in the design of experiments helps in
the simplification of design of experiments procedure.
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 3

4. PROBLEM DEFENITION
• To fabricate an eco-friendly composite by preparing a blend of
synthetic and natural resin that can be a potential substitute for non
biodegradable plastics since increase in environmental legislation and
pollution has increased the demand of more environmentally materials.
To study the effect of reinforced palm fiber on the mechanical
characteristics of the composite.
4MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT

5. TAGUCHI L9 ARRAY
Sample No. NaOH Concentration (%) Fibre volume (%) Soak Time (hrs.)
1 5 0.444 6
2 5 0.89 12
3 5 1.34 24
4 10 0.89 6
5 10 1.34 12
6 10 0.444 24
7 15 1.34 6
8 15 0.444 12
9 15 0.89 24
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 5

6. RESULTS – TENSILE TEST
Serial No
Ultimate Tensile Stress (MPa)
5% CNSL 15% CNSL 25% CNSL
1 13.83 5. 67 3.46
2 15.98 6.71 4.16
3 18.36 7.89 4.97
4 14.24 6.26 4.01
5 12.08 5.44 3.53
6 13.01 5.46 3.38
7 14.40 6.19 3.92
8 12.5 5.5 3.52
9 15.06 6.77 4.40
6MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT

7. MAIN EFFECTS PLOT – TENSILE TEST
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 7
5% CNSL 15% CNSL
25% CNSL

8. TENSILE TEST
CONTOUR PLOTS-5% CNSL
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 8

9. CONTOUR PLOTS-15% CNSL
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 9

10. CONTOUR PLOTS-25% CNSL
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 10

11. REGRESSION EQUATIONS- TENSILE TEST
• 5% CNSL:
Ultimate Tensile Stress (MPa)= 13.4 - 0.207 NaOH % + 0.0860 soak time
+ 2.05 fibre volume
• 15% CNSL:
Ultimate Tensile Stress(MPa) = 5.28 - 0.0604 NaOH % + 0.0417 soak time
+ 1.07 fibre volume
• 25% CNSL:
Ultimate Tensile Stress(MPa)= 3.11 - 0.0250 NaOH % + 0.0277 soak time
+ 0.765 fibre volume
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 11

12. RESULTS – FLEXURAL TEST
Serial No Ultimate Flexural Stress (MPa)
5%CNSL 15%CNSL 25%CNSL
1
24.73 19.53 3.42
2
25.59 20.47 4.4
3
26.47 21.47 3.74
4
25.45 19.37 2.98
5
26.03 21.19 3.52
6
24.6 19.38 3.39
7
26.26 21.33 3.66
8
24.34 19.09 3.38
9
25.69 20.35 3.41
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 12

13. MAIN EFFECTS PLOT- FLEXURAL TEST
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 13
5%CNSL 15%CNSL
25%CNSL

14. FLEXURAL TEST
CONTOUR PLOT - 5% CNSL
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 14

15. CONTOUR PLOR – 15% CNSL
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 15

16. CONTOUR PLOT – 25% CNSL
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 16

17. REGRESSION EQUATIONS- FLEXURAL TEST
• 5% CNSL:
Flexural Stress (MPa) = 23.8 - 0.0167 NaOH % + 1.89 Fiber Volume
+ 0.00825 Soak time
• 15% CNSL:
Flexural Stress (MPa) = 18.2 - 0.0233 NaOH % + 2.23 Fiber Volume
+ 0.0172 Soak time
• 25% CNSL:
Flexural Stress (MPa) = 3.61 - 0.0370 NaOH % + 0.271 Fiber Volume
+ 0.0046 Soak time
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 17

18. ERROR CALCULATION
• This section is to find the error difference between the experimentally obtained value and the
values obtained from regression equation. One experimental value is taken from table 2, for
example the values of sample 3 i.e. 5% NaOH concentration, 24 hours soak time and fiber
volume is equal to 1.34%. Sample 3 with 5% CNSL concentration has an Ultimate Tensile
stress of 18.36 MPa. Now, substituting the value of constrains in the specific regression
equation will yield an Ultimate Tensile stress value. The regression equation of tensile stress
for 5% CNSL concentration is:
Ultimate Tensile Stress (MPa) = 13.4 - 0.207 NaOH % + 0.0860 soak time + 2.05 fiber volume
UTS = 13.4 – 0.207 (5) + 0.0860 (24) + 2.05 (1.34)
UTS = 17.176 MPa
Err % = ((18.36 – 17.176)/17.176) x 100
Err % = 6.89%
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 18

19. ERROR CALCULATION
• Similarly, for flexural stress the error percentage is calculated. The Ultimate flexural stress
for sample 3 is 26.47 MPa. The values of sample 3 are 5% NaOH concentration, 24 hours
soak time and fiber volume is equal to 1.34%. The regression equation for flexural stress
with 5% CNSL concentration is:
Ultimate Flexural Stress (MPa) = 23.8 - 0.0167 NaOH % + 1.89 Fiber Volume + 0.00825 Soak
time
UFS = 23.8 – 0.0167 (5) + 1.89 (1.34) + 0.00825 (24)
UFS = 26.44 MPa
Err % = ((26.47 – 26.44)/26.44) x 100
Err % = 0.11%
Therefore, the error percentage for tensile stress is 6.89% and for flexural stress is 0.11%.
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 19

20. Genetic Algorithm Based Optimization
TENSILE STRESS – BEST FITNESS VALUE
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 20
25%CNSL
5% CNSL 15%CNSL

21. Genetic Algorithm based Optimization
CNSL CONC. FINAL POINT VALUE BEST FITNESS
VALUESOAK TIME
(HOURS)
NaOH CONC.
(%)
FIBER
VOLUME (%)
5% 6.225 15 0.444 11.0279
15% 7.591 14.999 0.449 11.1459
25% 6.174 15 0.46 11.0284
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 21
TENSILE STRESS

22. Genetic Algorithm based Optimization
FLEXURAL STRESS – BEST FITNESS VALUE
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 22
5% CNSL 15% CNSL
25% CNSL

23. Genetic Algorithm based Optimization
CNSL CONC. FINAL POINT VALUES BEST
FITNESS
VALUE
SOAK TIME
(HOURS)
NaOH CONC.
(%)
FIBER VOLUME
(%)
5% 14.67 14.988 0.447 19.1009
15% 13.075 14.944 0.444 19.0656
25% 11.602 14.999 0.444 19.0402
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 23
FLEXURAL STRESS

24. CODES AND STANDARDS
• Taguchi L9 orthogonal array used to get the number of samples.
• ANOVA analysis to study the effect of varying parameters on Ultimate
tensile and flexural stress.
• Samples prepared according to ASTM standards.
• Tensile test: ASTM D638
• Flexural test: ASTM D790
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 24

25. CONSTRAINTS AND ALTERNATIVES
The realistic design constraints which are applied in this project are:
• Environmental Friendly: Natural fibers poses the properties like enhanced
energy recovery, C02 neutrality, biodegradability and recyclable nature. Also,
the matrix is made up of another biodegradable material i.e. CNSL (Cashew
Nut Shell Liquid).
• Low Cost: Palm tree is grown in various parts of country and palm fiber used
in making ropes and baskets. With low cost and high specific mechanical
properties, natural fiber represents a good renewable and biodegradable
alternative to the most common synthetic reinforcement, i.e. glass fiber.
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 25

26. PROJECT DEMONSTRATION
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 26
Treated Fibers Prepared Samples
Sample Undergoing Flexural test Samples after completion of test

27. PRACTICAL APPLICATION - BOWL
MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 27
BOWL 1:
BOWL 2:

28. MEE 499 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 28