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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research

Interfacial Bonding Efficiency in Jute-Carbon Fiber Polyester Matrix Composites Evaluated Through Short Beam Shear and Interlaminar Fracture Toughness Testing

  1. P. Nithya Department of costume design and fashion, PSG College of arts & science, Coimbatore
  2. Kiran Kumar M Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sir M Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, Bangalore
  3. Madhukumar K Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sir M Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, Bangalore
  4. Sasikumar N Department of Physics, Sir M. Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, Bangalore
  5. Krishna Prasad S Department of Mechanical Engineering, NMAM Institute of Technology Nitte, Udupi
  6. Asha P B Department of Mechanical Engineering, Global Academy of Technology, Affiliated to VTU, Bangalore

Abstract

The natural Fiber–synthetic Fiber hybrid composites are jute–carbon Fiber hybrid in polyester matrix which could be used in semi-structural applications of automotive, construction and marine industry as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative of conventional carbon Fiber reinforced polymer. But the hydrophilic nature of jute Fibers and the relatively inert surface of carbon Fiber's cause weak bonding at the interface of the polyester matrix, which causes premature delamination, poor interlaminar shear strength and low fracture toughness, thereby limiting load-bearing capacity. A systematic study on the combined effect of surface modification and stacking sequence optimization on the interfacial bonding efficiency in jute–carbon polyester hybrids has not been conducted in previous studies by using both short beam shear and mode I/II interlaminar fracture toughness testing. This work aims to fill this gap by fabricating hybrid laminates with different stacking sequence and testing jute Fibers with alkali and silane treatment and then experimentally testing the interlaminar shear strength (ISS), mode I and mode II fracture toughness of the same by short beam shear testing and double cantilever beam (DCB) and end-notched flexure (ENF) testing respectively and modelling the same using finite element method (FEM) with cohesive zone elements and damage criteria. Results showed the synergistic effect of alkali–silane on the ISS was up to 53% higher than untreated sequences and the mode I fracture toughness initiation values (Kc1) were more than double those of untreated sequences, while the deviation between experimental and numerical model results was low. The findings indicate the importance of surface modification and architecture optimization to significantly enhance the interfacial properties of low-cost polyester-based hybrid materials, and present quantitative guidelines and a validated prediction model for the design of long-lasting and sustainable composite structures.

Keywords

References (30)

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