The effect of notches on the strength of coir – reinforced cashew nut shell resin composite

Project Abstract

<p> </p><p>The effect of notches on the strength of Coir – reinforced cashew<br>nut shell resin composite was investigated. Composite laminates<br>with six different fibre contents (0,0,1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 volume<br>fractions) were fabricated using the hand lay – up moulding<br>method. A static fracture testing equipment was designed and<br>fabricated in the absence of a functional fracture testing machine.<br>Static fracture tests were performed on the notched composites<br>with different notch depths and locations. The 0.4 volume fraction<br>of the fibre was determined as the optimum level of fibre necessary<br>for reinforcing the composites for maximum strength. The fracture<br>strength of the composite increased with decreasing notch depth.<br>The strength of the laminates also increased with the notch<br>locations. Again, varying both notch depths and locations had no<br>effect initially on the strength of the composite.</p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <br><p></p>

Project Overview

<p> 1.0 INTRODUCTION<br>Natural fibre is commonly regarded as waste and is disposed<br>by burning or on landfills and this practice contributes to pollution.<br>In order to preserve the environment, it is necessary to find<br>economically feasible solutions to natural fibre as recyclable<br>materials which could be used for different applications, ranging<br>from handicrafts to reinforcement elements for composite<br>materials (Sukumaran, et al, 1982).<br>Coconut palm tree (coco nucifera) is a multivalent fibre<br>producer. Its fibre can be extracted from any part of the leaves, the<br>long leaf sheath, the midribs of the leaves, the balk of the stalk and<br>the fruit crust. Coir fibres are extracted from both the exocarp and<br>the endocarp of the fruit. These coir fibres are currently being used<br>in the form of mats in applications such as substrates for<br>ornamental plants, soil support and seat cushion for automobiles.<br>Since the application of natural fibres is of current interest<br>around the world and a commercial potential market already exists,<br>10<br>the present work investigates the effect of notches on the strength<br>of coir-reinforced cashew nut shell resin composite.<br>1.1 RELEVANCE OF THE RESEARCH<br>The fibre from the coconut fruit crust that is nowadays<br>disposed as an unwanted waste is a recyclable potential alternative<br>to be used in polymeric matrix composite materials like ceiling<br>boards or gypsum panels.<br>The effect of notches on the strength of the composite is<br>critical to its application in engineering systems and this is the<br>primary aim of this study.<br>Therefore, the objectives of this study are:<br>1. To determine the effect of notch depths and locations on the<br>strength of the composite.<br>2. To determine the optimum level of fibre necessary for<br>reinforcing the composite. <br></p>