Optimization of Process Parameters and Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Bamboo/Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite

Abstract

Natural And Synthetic Fibers Have Several Advantages Due To Their Light Weight Applications In The Automobile Industry. Properties Like Mechanical Strength, Low-Density, Better Thermal And Acoustic Insulation And Low Cost Were Very Attractive. In This Thesis, An Investigation Of The Input Parameters And Mechanical Properties Of Epoxy-Based Hybrid Composites Reinforced With Glass/Bamboo Fibers Was Carried Out. Composite Samples Were Prepared Based On Taguchi?�?S L9Orthogonal Array Design Using A Hand Lay-Up Technique At Room Temperature. The Fiber Content, Alkali Treatment And Epoxy Resin Concentration Were Optimized Based On The General Linear Model And Taguchi Analysis To Get The Maximum Level Of Mechanical Properties Like Tensile Strength, Flexural Strength, Compressive Strength, Hardness And Impact Strength. Results Showed That The Maximum Tensile Strength Was 232.1mpa, Maximum Compressive Strength 76.97mpa, Maximum Rockwell Hardness 67.93n/Mm2, Maximum Flexural Strength 536.33mpa And The Highest Impact Strength Was 5.03j/M. The Results Revealed That Fiber Content Of 20 Wt.%, Alkali Treatment Of 8 Wt.% And Epoxy Resin With 65 Wt.% Were Estimated To Be The Optimal Parameters. Analysis Of Variance (Anova) Was Conducted To Identify The Significant Factors And Established All The Three Factors As Being Significant. The Amount Of Bamboo Fiber Was Found To Be The Most Significant Parameter Which Greatly Affected The Mechanical Properties Of The Hybrid Composites. It Was Demonstrated That The Mechanical Properties Of The Epoxy-Based Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites Can Be Effectively Improved.