Simulation and Experimental Study of Fiber Reinforced Polymer

Simulation and Experimental Study of Fiber Reinforced Polymer

M. Ajithkumar

Students of Mechanical Engineering, Anna University(BIT), Tiruchirappalli-620024

S. Balaji

Students of Mechanical Engineering, Anna University(BIT), Tiruchirappalli-620024

R. Deepak

Students of Mechanical Engineering, Anna University(BIT), Tiruchirappalli-620024

Dr. T. Parameshwaranpillai

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Anna University(BIT), Tiruchirappalli-620024

Abstract: Fiber reinforced polymer composites have played a dominant role for a long time in a variety of application for their high specific strength and modulus. The fiber which serves as a reinforcement in reinforced polymer may be synthetic or natural. In studies show that only synthetic fibers such as glass, carbon have been used in fiber-reinforced polymer. Although the synthetic fiber-reinforced polymer possess less load, high specific strength and stability. The present work describes the development and characterization of a synthetic fiber based polymer composite consisting of glass fiber as reinforcement and epoxy resin as matrix. Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have become important materials for the new structures and application. Experiments are carried out to study the mechanical properties of FRP.

Keywords: FRP, Composite, Fiber reinforcement.

1. INTRODUCTION

   The materials used in civil structures for restoration or firming up the elemental constituent are the fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. FRP is a compound made up of reinforced fibers of polymer matrix. These are like glass, aramid, basalt and carbon, wood, paper, asbestos etc. FRP composite materials have a significant advantages that includes high stiffness and tensile strength properties, low weight, easy to use, adaptableness to curved surfaces and corrosion proof. Further it is realized that the use of FRP is often governed by strain limits, due to its brittle characteristics. In 1994, Saadatmanesh and Schwegler, were the first researchers to examine the use of FRP for the consolidation of masonry structures. Since then, FRPs are used to strengthen structural masonry components as walls, vaults, arches and to confine columns. Under such conditions, the mechanical properties of FRP involving Youngs Modulus, tensile strength, toughness, etc. may suffer great changes. Therefore, the investigation of the mechanical properties of FRP composites under dynamic loadings and different temperatures is essential to design the structures with this kind of materials.

2. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

   FRP is a compound made up of reinforced fibers of polymer matrix. The collection of FRP bars for depends on numerous matters according to structural point of view. Fiber plastics have various application due to its corrosion resistance, light weight, and non-magnetic property with

   high tension strength, good toughness, less mechanical reduction and resistance in high fatigue5.Generally, due to its initial and maintenance cost these composite materials were restricted in RC construction use. Excessive corrosion due to climate of coastal belt and continuous use as ice reducing material on roads and bridges are sufficiently captivated so as to study for corrosion less FRP materials. Numerous types of FRP bars for structural purposes having mass-produced now a days starting from 1-D bars and cables to 2-Dlattices and network Formation of FRP is done using hand layup methods shown below

   Figure (a)

   Figure (b)

   The characteristics of GFRP and CFRP reinforcements and tendons with steel bars are highlighted in Table 1.

   Table 1: Physical Properties of FRP Composites and Steel bars

   The Formation of FRP basically, there are two processes through which a polymer is established: step-wise polymerization and additive polymerization. Composite plastics are molded when a group of consistent material possessing different properties are combined to form a concluding product having wished characteristics in mechanical way. These are of two types, fiber reinforced and particle reinforced. Fiber reinforced plastic belongs to that category of mechanical strength and elasticity as incorporated in fiber materials. The matrix is the core material which is devoid of fiber reinforcement. It is hard but relatively weaker and must be hardened through the addition of powerful reinforcing fibers or filaments. This fiber is critical in differentiating the FRP parental polymer. Most of these plastics are made through different molding methods wherein a mold or a tool is used to put the fiber pre-form, constructing dry fiber or fiber holding a specific resin proportion. Curing occurs by wetting dry fibers with resin, wherein the matrix and fibers assume the molds form. There is irregular activities of pressure and heat in this stage. The various processes comprise bladder molding, compression molding, autoclave, mandrel wrapping, wet layup, filament winding.

   Graph 1: Schematic Diagram of stress vs strain with respect to behavior of Composites in comparison with Steel, Aluminium, PVC

   Common Properties of FRPs

   These composite components generally indicate high strength and low weight8. These components are very strong and these are used by the automotive industry for replacing some of the metal in cars. Fiber reinforced plastic are as strong as some metals but they are lighter and more fuel efficient. The characteristics of fiber reinforced plastics are customized to suit a wide range requirement. FRP composites have compressive and impressive electrical properties. They display high grade environmental resistance. The manufacturing process is an important factor and it is quite cost effective. This process makes FRP materials a favorite among various industrial sectors. The productivity rate is medium to high and a ready bonding is indicated with different components. The other independent characteristic of fiber reinforced plastics include laudable thermal insulation, fire hardness, structural integrity along with UV radiation stability, resistance to chemicals and other eroding materials. The properties of fiber reinforced plastics are subjected to some factors like the relative volume of both these components, mechanical properties of the fiber and matrix, and the length of the fiber and orientation within the matrix.

   Common Fibers Include:

   Glass:-It is a good insulating component. It constructs glass reinforced plastic or fiberglass, when mixed with the matrix. It is less strong, less rigid, less brittle, and less expensive than carbon fiber.

   Figure (c)

   Carbon based fiber reinforced plastics:-Temperature, high tensile strength, tolerance, stiffness, chemical resistance are offered by carbon based fiber reinforced plastics along with low thermal expansion and weight. The carbon atoms construct crystals which lie usually along long axis of the fiber. The ratio of strength to volume is made high by this classification. This classification makes the material strong.

   Figure (f)

   Filler: – It is used to improve the performance by lowering the compound cost. They control the shrinkage, make the surface smooth and it is used as a crack resistance.

   Additive:-It enhance the durability and usefulness of the polymer.

3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION STRAIN RATE EFFECT ON TENSILE PROPERTIES

   The primary physical properties for GFRP considered for the design is

   Figure (d)

   Aramid:-It has vast usefulness in various industries. Robust and heat-resistant synthetic fibers are the results of aramid fiber components.

   Figure (e)

   Epoxy: It is used to transmit loads between the fibers which holds the fibers tightly and protect the fibers from damages occurs from environmental and mechanical conditions.

   • Ultimate tensile strength

   • Strain at break

   • Modulus of elasticity

   • Maximum tensile strength is 160 N/mm2

   • Minimum tensile strength is 140 N/mm2

Graph (2)

Graph (3)

SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a type of electron microscope that produces images of a sample by scanning the surface with a focused beam of electrons. The electrons interact with atoms in the sample, producing various signals that contain information about the sample's surface topography and composition. The electron beam is scanned in a raster scan pattern, and the beam's position is combined with the detected signal to produce an image. SEM can achieve resolution better than 1 nanometer. Specimens can be observed in high vacuum in conventional SEM, or in low vacuum or wet conditions in variable pressure or environmental SEM, and at a wide range of cryogenic or elevated temperatures with specialized instruments. The microscopic image of GFRP as follows

Figure (g)

Figure (h)

Figure (i)

Figure (k)

FLEXURAL STRENGTH

Flexural strength, also known as modulus of rupture, or bend strength, or transverse rupture strength is a material property, defined as the stress in a material just before it yields in a flexure test. The transverse bending test is most frequently employed, in which a specimen having either a circular or rectangular cross-section is bent until fracture or yielding using a three point flexural test technique. The flexural strength represents the highest stress experienced within the material at its moment of yield. It is measured in terms of stress, here given the symbol.

Mode of test : Compression

Sample type : Flat

Thickness : 14.68mm

Width : 24.78mm

Area : 363.77mm2

Gauge length : 100.00mm

Graph (4)

Maximum Flexural load of GFRP (Fmax) = 4.66KN

BARCOL HARDNESS

The Barcol hardness test characterizes the indentation hardness of materials through the depth of penetration of an indenter, loaded on a material sample and compared to the penetration in a reference material. The method is most often used for composite materials such as reinforced thermosetting resins or to determine how much a resin or plastic has cured. The test complements the measurement of glass transition temperature, as an indirect measure of the degree of cure of a composite. It is inexpensive and quick, and provides information on the cure throughout a part.

BARCOL HARDNESS of GFRP: 34, 32, 29

WEAR TEST

Wear is related to interactions between surfaces and specifically the removal and deformation of material on a surface as a result of mechanical action of the opposite surface. Mechanical wear is caused by most use of metal by sliding, impact, cutting etc. The wear percentage of FRP is 36.47%

Figure (m)

Figure (n) REFERENCES

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