Fabrication and Testing of Polymer Matrix Composite Reinforced with Pineapple Fiber and Cardamom Husk

Abstract

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites are being developed to meet the growing need for environmentally friendly, low density, rigid, and lightweight products in the automotive, aircraft component, boat hulls, tennis rackets, manufacturing, and construction industries. In Ethiopia, there are numerous fibers containing plants that can be used for the fabrication of valuable items. Natural fibers like kenaf, sisal, bamboo, and pineapple tended to be the main focus. Fiber and matrix are the two components that make up a composite, and each offers several benefits. A small-scale laboratory composite was created in this study utilizing a hand layup approach with polyester serving as the matrix and cardamom husk particles (particle size ≤ 75) and pineapple fiber serving as reinforcing components. The fiber was taken as having a bidirectional orientation (0/90, 0/45, and 90/45) during the specimen preparation process. The weight percentage of the cardamom husk particle (0wt.%, 5wt.%, and 10wt.%) and weight percentage of pineapple fiber (10wt.%, 20wt.% and 30wt.%) were varied to create nine samples. Tensile, flexural, compression, impact strength, hardness, water absorption, void fraction, and morphological analysis were performed to assess the mechanical and physical properties of the composite. A statistical model describing the relation between the mechanical and physical properties of the composite was developed using Taguchi-based grey relational analysis. The highest tensile, flexural, compression, and impact strengths were 54.11MPa, 102.25MPa, 95.84MPa and 16.25J respectively at 20% fiber loading, 5% CH, and 90/45 fiber angle. The maximum hardness was 54.35HV at 20wt.% fiber loading, 10wt.% CH and 0/90 fiber angle. The minimum water absorption rate was 3.12% obtained at 10wt.% fiber loading, 0wt.% CH, and 0/90 fiber angle. Smaller void content of 0.775 was obtained at 10wt.% fiber loading, 5wt.% CH and 0/45 fiber angle. The optimum combination obtained through Taguchi based grey relational analysis was 20 wt.% fiber loading, 5 wt.% CH, and 90/45 fiber angle. The investigation revealed the suitability of bidirectional oriented pineapple fiber as an effective reinforcement in composite materials. The developed composite had good mechanical properties.Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites Are Being Developed To Meet The Growing Need For Environmentally Friendly, Low Density, Rigid, And Lightweight Products In The Automotive, Aircraft Component, Boat Hulls, Tennis Rackets, Manufacturing, And Construction Industries. In Ethiopia, There Are Numerous Fibers Containing Plants That Can Be Used For The Fabrication Of Valuable Items. Natural Fibers Like Kenaf, Sisal, Bamboo, And Pineapple Tended To Be The Main Focus. Fiber And Matrix Are The Two Components That Make Up A Composite, And Each Offers Several Benefits. A Small-Scale Laboratory Composite Was Created In This Study Utilizing A Hand Layup Approach With Polyester Serving As The Matrix And Cardamom Husk Particles (Particle Size ??? 75) And Pineapple Fiber Serving As Reinforcing Components. The Fiber Was Taken As Having A Bidirectional Orientation (0/90, 0/45, And 90/45) During The Specimen Preparation Process. The Weight Percentage Of The Cardamom Husk Particle (0wt.%, 5wt.%, And 10wt.%) And Weight Percentage Of Pineapple Fiber (10wt.%, 20wt.% And 30wt.%) Were Varied To Create Nine Samples. Tensile, Flexural, Compression, Impact Strength, Hardness, Water Absorption, Void Fraction, And Morphological Analysis Were Performed To Assess The Mechanical And Physical Properties Of The Composite. A Statistical Model Describing The Relation Between The Mechanical And Physical Properties Of The Composite Was Developed Using Taguchi-Based Grey Relational Analysis. The Highest Tensile, Flexural, Compression, And Impact Strengths Were 54.11mpa, 102.25mpa,95.84mpa And 16.25j Respectively At 20% Fiber Loading, 5% Ch, And 90/45 Fiber Angle. The Maximum Hardness Was 54.35hv At 20wt.% Fiber Loading, 10wt.% Ch And 0/90 Fiber Angle. The Minimum Water Absorption Rate Was 3.12% Obtained At 10wt.% Fiber Loading, 0wt.% Ch, And0/90 Fiber Angle. Smaller Void Content Of 0.775 Was Obtained At 10wt.% Fiber Loading, 5wt.% ChAnd 0/45 Fiber Angle. The Optimum Combination Obtained Through Taguchi Based Grey Relational Analysis Was 20 Wt.% Fiber Loading, 5 Wt.% Ch, And 90/45 Fiber Angle. The Investigation Revealed The Suitability Of Bidirectional Oriented Pineapple Fiber As An Effective Reinforcement In omposite Materials. The Developed Composite Had Good Mechanical Properties.