Applied GIS ISSN: 1832-5505

Vol-6 Issue-01 Aug 2018

ASSESSING MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF COCONUT COIR - TAMARIND

FRUIT FIBER REINFORCED EPOXY HYBRID COMPOSITES
JAYAM SREE HARI, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, jayam.sreehari@gmail.com
K .PAVAN KUMAR REDDY, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, pavan.intell@gmail.com

NAGASAMUDRAM PHANI RAJA RAO, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, phaniraja.ns@gmail.com

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Technology,

N.H 44, Hampapuram, Rapthadu, Anantapuramu, Andhra Pradesh 515722

Abstract--- Matrix and reinforcement are the building then mixed this with LY556 epoxy resin and HY 951
blocks of composite materials, which exhibit combined hardener to form a matrix. The short fibres make up 30% of
qualities that outperform those of either component alone. the material, while the remaining 70% is evenly distributed
Composite materials, which were invented and have since among the other components. After that, we cut the
grown in popularity, have revolutionised several industries composites into ASTM standards and tested them for
within the last 30 years. Weight reduction and improved mechanical properties using tests such as tensile,
mechanical characteristics are the primary goals of compression, impact, and flexural. The results were used to
composite material. We achieved this by creating a hybrid learn more about the material's fabrication process.
composite material from the fibres of tamarind fruit and Additionally, we conducted a water absorption test on the
coconut coir. The next step is to use the experimental data composite materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
to study the mechanical characteristics. In this study, we study is used to examine the fractured surfaces' internal
developed a hybrid composite material that incorporates structure, interfacial characteristics, and internal fractures.
coconut coir and tamarind fruit fibres as reinforcement. We
Keywords--- Coconut Coir, Tamarind Fruit Fibers, Hand Lay-Up Method, Epoxy Resin LY556, Hardener HY 951.

readily recognise them in these composites. Composite

INTRODUCTION
materials are extensively used in a broad variety of
A When two or more materials are combined to form engineering and non-engineering contexts. Because of
a composite, the combined qualities of the components its many useful properties, including as a high
are superior than those of the materials used alone. strength-to-weight ratio, low energy consumption, and
Composites are made up of several materials, each excellent resistance to corrosion and weather, these
with its own set of characteristics. When these materials have become an integral element of modern
components are mixed, they create a new material with construction. The majority of the world's buildings,
a unique set of features. Compared to other mixed bridges, structures, ships, and car bodies are made
materials, composites have superior mechanical from composite materials. Aircraft and spacecraft are
qualities. Composites are often lighter than metals, mostly constructed using sophisticated composites in
which means that using them makes the final product the aerospace industry. A review of the relevant
much lighter. To achieve these characteristics, we literature reveals that many earlier studies focused on
conducted an experiment to create a new composite single-fiber composites rather than hybrids, with some
material. We used Tamarind fruit fibre and Coconut studies combining several kinds of fibres and others
coir with different compositions in three different focusing on specific combinations (e.g., jute, sisal,
configurations, and we tested the specimens according banana, etc.).
to ASTM standards to determine their mechanical Alkali treatment increased the fiber's thermal stability,
properties. Composites obtain their special qualities by according to a study by C. Uma Maheswari et al. [1]
blending these two materials. These components do Tensile Properties and Thermal Degradation
not dissolve or mix in with each other, thus we can Parameters of Tamarind Fruit Fibres. Furthermore, it
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was discovered that alkali treatment enhanced the outperformed those with 1 and 3 cm in terms of
tensile characteristics. The findings also show that hardness and impact strength.
thermoplastics with processing temperatures lower The mechanical properties of a banana-coir hybrid
than 270o C may benefit from using alkali-treated composite were studied using experimental and finite
tamarind fibres as reinforcements. element methods [3] by T. HariPrasad et al. The paper
The study by G. Ramachandra et al. [2] discusses the concludes that compared to an untreated banana-coir
use of variable fibre lengths to create hybrid epoxy hybrid composite, one that is alkali-treated has
composites made of natural and synthetic fibres. The higher tensile and impact strengths. In contrast to the
composites are based on tamarind fruit fibre and glass untreated banana-coir epoxy hybrid composite, the one
fibre reinforced polyester. Researchers have examined treated with alkali shows lower flexural strength. In
how the properties of polyester-based Tf / glass hybrid their study, Ram Krishna Adhikari et al. [4] detailed
composites change with the length of the fibres, the mechanical characteristics of hybrid polyester
including hardness, chemical resistance, impact composite materials made of banana and jute fibres.
strength, and frictional coefficient. Results showed The mechanical characteristics of the hybrid polyester
that hybrid composites with fibre lengths of 2 cm material are detailed.

MATERIALS

In this particular project, we are utilising coconut coir dimensions of 160 mm x 160 mm x 10 mm (length x
and tamarind fruit fibres, which have been precisely width x thickness). Then, specimens are cut into them
cut into uniform lengths and chemically treated with according to ASTM standards for tensile, compressive,
NaOH. These fibres are then prepared to be used as flexural, and impact (Izod) tests, and the results of
reinforcement in a composite with three distinct these tests are used to investigate the mechanical
configurations, each with its own unique composition, properties of the materials. A weighing scale, roller,
mixed with epoxy resin LY556 and hardener HY951 safety gloves, and release agent are additional tools
in a ratio of 10:1. In order to prepare them for needed.
composites, these are moulded into a shape with

I. MANUFACTURING METHOD

The Composite materials can be manufactured by using any of the following methods.

 Hand Lay-up Method

 Automated Lay-up Method

 Spray Up Method

 Filament winding

 Pultrusion
But for the current work we are going to prepare the composite materials by using Hand lay-up Method.

Hand lay-up encompasses the cutting of the operator and after that ordinarily a sap gel-coat. The
reinforcement material to size by using a variety of hand impregnated fortification material is then hand-moved to
and power- operated devices. These sized pieces are then guarantee uniform circulation and to expel caught air.
impregnated with wet network material and laid over a Greater fortification material is included until the
shape surface that has been covered with a discharge required part thickness has been developed. Manual lay-
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up can likewise be performed utilizing pre- impregnated more predictable control of fortification and sap
support material, called 'prepreg'. The utilization of substance. Prepreg must be kept refrigerated preceding
prepreg material disposes of independent treatment of the use, be that as it may, to avert untimely curing.
support and epoxy and can enhance part quality by giving
II. PREPARATION OF MATERIALS

A. Preparation of Coconut coir fiber:

In this research work, we collected the dried then the fibers are made into the uniform length which are
coconut husks from the coconuts and then they are selected for the preparation of the composites. Then the
separated as husk and fiber by using the mechanical Collected fibers are finely cut into short uniform length
pounding and patiently each of the fiber strand are fibers of the required form after which the fibers are
separated as the Fiber and the husk, then the fiber is segregated each fiber strand by sitting patiently, and then
thoroughly washed with water and then they are by using the weighing scale we can weighthe short fibers
chemically treated with 5% NaOH solution and then it is as per the required ratios to fabricate the required
dried it in the presence of sunlight, after the fibers are dried composite materials which is used in this research work.

Fig: 1 Coconut Husk. Fig: 2 Coir separated from Husk. Fig: 3 Coir dried after NaOH treatment.

B. Preparation of Tamarind Fruit fiber:

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An evergreen shrub tree in the Fabaceae family, the of it, it was sun-dried for a few days.
tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica) has a lengthy life The fruit fibres of tamarind were placed in a bucket,
expectancy. The tropical belt, which includes South then soaked for one hour in a solution of 5% sodium
America, Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and hydroxide. To get rid of any surplus NaOH solution
Africa, is home to this plant. In India, tamarind trees that had stuck to the fibres, they were rinsed with
may produce an estimated 300,000 tonnes of fruit per water. After a last rinse in distilled water, the fibres
year, with yields ranging from 150 to 500 kg per tree. were let to dry naturally in the sun. The collected fibres
When mature fruits are dry, they are easy to crack; this are next uniformly and finely chopped into small
releases the pulp and fibres from the fruit's shell, lengths, and then each fibre strand is separated by
leaving behind a lot of fibres, kernels (seeds), and sitting patiently. These short fibres may then be
husk. The Mandy market in Hindupuram, Anantapur, utilised to make the composite materials needed for
Andhra Pradesh, India, was the source of the tamarind this study.
fruit fibres. The tamarind fruit fibres were extracted
after a thorough rinsing in water. To get the most out

Fig: 4 Tamarind Fruits. Fig: 5 Tamarind Fruit Fiber before Extraction. Fig: 6 T/F Fiber dried after treatment.
III. PREPARATION OF SPECIMENS

The sample preparation of the composite is done by proportions and ratio of mixtures. The weight
using varying weight percentages of ratios. We calculate percentages are converted into grams by taking the epoxy
the required weight percentage of short fibers, from the and hardener mix as 220 grams, then the reinforcement
ratios table and then we calculate the weights accurately material is also converting the weight percentages into
and are measured using them with a digital weighing grams by using the Digital weighing scale.
machine. Percentages are taken based up on varying

TABLE 1
SAMPLE PREPARATION IN RATIOS.

% wt. of Epoxy Resin + Hardener % wt. of Tamarind % wt. of Coconut

Specimens fruit fiber coir fiber

1 70 15 15

2 70 20 10

3 70 17 13
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The Fibers were arranged uniformly as per above

At a cross-head speed of 5 mm/min, the composites'
ratios as mentioned in the table and the composites were tensile strengths were tested using a computerised
prepared with epoxy resin (LY 556) and hardener (HY Universal Testing Machine technique. The specimens'
951) as matrix in the ratio of 10:1 mixture in the average values were provided. Tensile specimens in a
fabricated mould of dimensions 1600 mm x 160 mm x 10 rectangular form of 140 mm X 15 mm X 10 mm were
mm and the prepared composites are sized according to cut using a cutting machine. A material's tensile
ASTM standards for testing of mechanical properties strength, or the amount of energy it absorbs during
which as Tensile, Compressive, Impact, Flexural and fracture, may be found out by doing this test. This test
Water Absorption Tests.
uses a universal testing apparatus to determine the
TESTING OF SPECIMENS
tensile strength of specimens with dimensions of 140
A. Tensile Testing of the Specimens:
mm in length and 10 mm in thickness. The following
relation is used to compute the tensile strength.
Tensile stress = Tensile force / area

Fig: 7 Tensile Test Specimens. Fig: 8 Tensile testing on UTM. Fig: 9 Specimens after Tensile testing.
B. Impact Testing of the Specimens:

Impact test specimens are carried out as per ASTM

The impact strength of the samples was measured
standards and are ready for the Impact test. This test was
using an Izod impact test machine. All impact test
carried out at ambient conditions and the average of
samples were unnotched. The test specimen was
impact strength was calculated
supported as a vertical cantilever beam and broken by a
single swing of a pendulum. Impact test is a solitary point
test that measures the resistance of the material to impact
from a swinging pendulum. Impact can be defined as the
kinetic energy required inducing fracture and continuing

the fracture until the specimen is failed. All the tests are
conducted according to ASTM standards. Out of the
composite specimen having more dimensions but in
impact testing we required only 65 mm rectangular body
specimen as per ASTM standards. So the specimens will
be machined in to required length and thickness. The
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10 mm. Specimen deflection is measured by the

.
crosshead position. Test results include flexural strength
Fig: 10 Impact test specimens. Fig: 11
and displacement.
Specimen loaded for Impact test. Fig: 12
Specimens after Impact test. The testing process involves placing the test

C. Compression Testing of the

Specimens:Compressive test is conducted at room
temperature to determine the ultimate compressive
strength of the given specimen under static loading
conditions. The external faces of the specimen are
perfectly plane. The specimen is placed between the
heads of the Compression Test Machine (CTM), the
loads are applied slowly onto the specimen and it
undergoes compression. The specimen is tested and
the equivalent readings are taken from the dial
attached to the control unit. This test uncovers the
measure of vitality consumed by a material amid
break, which alludes to the materials pressure
quality. The pressure quality test for samples of
dimensions 10 mm X 10 mm was tested. The
compression test is calculated from the following
relation.

specimen in the universal testing machine and applying

force to it until it fractures and breaks. The specimen used
for conducting the flexural test is presented in the below
figures. The tests are carried out at ambient condition and
the average values are reported.

Compression stress = compression force / area

Flexural tests were performed on an Instron 3369

universal testing machine, using the three-point bending
fixture according to ASTM standards and with a
crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. The rectangular shape
three-point bending specimens were prepared using a
cutting machine with dimensions of 127 mm X 13 mm X
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specimen is subjected to the calculation of how much

Fig: 15 Flexural test Specimens. Fig: 16 water absorbs the specimen. The specimen with 20 mm x
Three point bending test for specimen. Fig: 17
Specimens after Flexural test. 15 mm x 10 mm size has taken for water absorption test
as per ASTM D 570 standard. Moisture absorption
D. Water Absorption test for the Specimens: studied on treated Coconut Coir fiber and Tamarind Fruit
fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites were carried
In this water absorption test, the composite out with the source of water.

E. SEM Analysis:
morphological characterization of the composite surface
A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is a type is observed in scanning electron microscope of Model
of electron microscope that produces images of a sample JEOL JSM-IT 500.The composite samples are cleaned
by scanning it with a focused beam of electrons. The properly; air dried and are coated witha thick gold

IV. RESULTS

TABLE 2
Results for Tensile, Compression, Impact, Flexural and Water Absorption Tests.

Tensile Impact Compression Flexural Water

Specimens Strength Strength strength Strength Absorption
(N/mm2) (J/m) (N/mm2) (N/mm2) (%)

8.75 80 66.88 48.72 9.07

1

9.83 40 65.84 37.38 9.31

2

6.89 60 62.39 41.76 11.11

3

The Tensile Strength of the composite depends on The specimen “2” has highest Tensile Strength of 9.83
the quantity and quality of Fiber used. The below Graph N/mm2 and specimen “3” has lowest tensile strength of
exhibits the variety of Tensile strength with various .89 N/mm2.
composite proportions for the greatest pinnacle loads.
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Tensile strength(N/mm2)

12

N/mm2
9.83
10 8.75
8 6.89
Tensile strength
6
4
2
0
1 2 3
Fig: 18 Variation of Tensile Strength for Different Specimens.
Specimens
A. Impact Test:

The Impact strength of different mixtures of impact loads. The specimen “2” has lowest impact
composite material weight fractions are shown in below strength of 40 J/m and the specimen “1” has highest
figure. From the figure the variation of impact strength impact strength of 80 J/m.
with different composite specimen for the maximum

Impact Energy (J/m)

100
80
Joules/m

80
60
60
40
40 Impact Energy

20

0
1 2 3
Specimens

Fig: 19 Variation of Impact Strength for Different Specimens.

B. Compression Test:

In contrast to the tensile test direction, the planar area a Maximum Compressive Strength of 66.88 N/mm2,
is used to determine the composite's compression as shown in the figure. A minimum compressive
strength in CTM. The figure below shows how the strength of 62.39 N/mm2 was measured for specimen
compressive strength varies as a function of the "3," whereas specimen "2" exhibited a value of 65.84
proportion of composite material. Specimen "1" of N/mm2.
composite material clearly has a higher compressive
strength, as seen in the graph. The Compressive
Strength is reduced in specimens "1," "2," and "3"
when the quantity of coconut coir fibre is reduced with
the addition of tamarind fruit fibre. Specimen "1" has
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Compressive Strength (N/mm2)

100
90
80
66.88 65.84
70 62.39
60
N/mm2
50
40
Compressive Strength
30
20
10
0
1 2 3
Specimens

Fig: 20 Variation of Compressive Strength for Different Specimens.

flexural stress & flexural modulus are tested for the

C. Flexural Test:
specimens “1”, “2” & “3”. From the obtain values of
The flexural properties for the different composites three-point flexural tests the graph is plotted. In that the
are displayed in following graph 5.4. Flexural stresses specimen “1” is having maximum flexural strength than
were increased with deflection, initial stage deflection & the other two specimens.
slope gradually follows until the failure point. The

Flexural Strength (N/mm2)

60
48.72
50
41.76
40 37.38
N/mm2

30
20 Flexural Strength

10
0
1 2 3
Specimens

Fig: 21 Variation of Flexural Strength for Different Specimens.

D. Water Absorption Test:

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Examining how much water the specimens that were submerged in water for 120 hours at room temperature
absorbed. As soon as the specimens were taken out of the water, they were dried and weighed. The table below
displays the results of testing the water absorption percentage of each composite sample. See the figure below for
the samples' moisture absorption % after 5 days. The water absorption rates of Specimen "1," Specimen "2," and
Specimen "3" are 9.07%, 9.31%, and 11.11%, respectively. As a consequence, specimen "3" has a high moisture
absorption rate, while specimen "1" has a low one.

TABLE 3

Percentage of Water Gain for different Specimens.

Immersion Weight Weight Percentage

Specimens Time (Hrs) Before After of Weight
Immersion Immersion Gain (%)
(Grams) (Grams)

1 120 4.52 4.93 9.07

2 120 4.08 4.46 9.31

3 120 3.42 3.80 11.11

Water Absorption11.11
Test (%)
12
Moisture Absorption

11 9.07 9.31
10
9
8
Rate %

7
6
5
4 Water Absorption %
3
2
1
0
1 2 3
Specimens

Fig: 22 Variation of Water Absorption test for Different Specimens.

E. SEM Analysis:
The composites' interfacial characteristics were between the matrix and the fibre was the result of
examined using a scanning electron microscope an increase in the surface area of the fibre.
(SEM). The next pictures show scanning electron
micrographs of a cracked surface of the composites
made with the treated coconut coir/tamarind fruit
fibres. Using phase information, the topographical
features of the manufactured composite surface
reveal the mechanical property change. The fibre
was totally saturated with the matrix, as shown in
the image below. It's intriguing to see that the fibre
was ripped and cracked. This proves that the fibres
and epoxy resin matrix have an exceptionally
strong bond at the interface. Better contact area
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visible and a larger gap seen between the treated fiber and

Fig: 23 SEM micrographs of the matrix represents the fiber debonding as shown in the
fractured surface of Specimen
1. below figure. These indicate that the interaction between
the fiber and the matrix in the composites of specimen
“2” was moderate weak, due to poor fiber-matrix
Fiber pullout with a considerable length is clearly compatibility.

Fig: 24 SEM micrographs of fractured surface of Specimen 2.

In contrast, the fibers were covered (skin below figure and then the fibers were found to break with
formation) with the matrix, resulting in considerable a fiber pullout but which indicates an improvement of
reduction in the gaps between them as shown in the interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the matrix.

Fig: 25 SEM micrographs of fractured surface of Specimen 3.

V. CONCLUSIONS
Applied GIS ISSN: 1832-5505
Vol-6 Issue-01 Aug 2018

The current study aimed to fabricate hybrid composites To a certain extent, the flexural, impact, and
of coconut coir and tamarind fibres reinforced with compressive strengths of composites may be enhanced
epoxy using a simple hand lay-up approach. The by increasing the proportion of coconut coir fibre.
composites were made with varying fibre weight Specimen "1" has a much lower water absorption rate
ratios. Composites made using a mixture of 20% than other composite specimens. Using scanning
tamarind fibre and 10% coconut coir fibre exhibit an electron microscopy, we can see that the reinforcing
increase in tensile strength as shown by laboratory fibres are evenly distributed throughout the matrix. It
testing. Results from the Compression Test, Impact follows that this chemical is homogeneous. The
Test, and Flexural Test showed that the mechanical mechanical properties of the composite are enhanced
characteristics of the composites were significantly due to the uniform distribution of reinforcement.
affected by the mix of 15% tamarind fibre and 15%
coconut coir fibre.

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