Evaluation of mechanical, acoustic and vibration characteristics of calamus rotang based hybrid natural fiber composites
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: • Calamus rotang stem fibres were hybridized to modify reinforcement as well as matrix. • Experimental results of mechanical testing were validated with FEA analysis. • Acoustic properties were evaluated for low, medium and high frequency ranges. • Damping characteristics of prepared samples were also evaluated. • SEM analysis was carried out to understand the failure mode of tested samples. Natural fibers are preferred over synthetic fiber because of their lightweight, high strength, biodegradabilityand biocompatibility properties. Natural fiber offers good mechanical properties when combined with synthetic fiber, making it suitable for structural applications. Present study aims to understand the mechanical, acoustic and vibrational behavior of novel calamus rotang fiber reinforced with glass fiber hybrid composite for structural application. Composite labelled with Modified Matrix Composite Sample (MMCS) prepared from powdered calamus rotang stem with variation of 4%, 8%, and 12% by weight loaded within the matrix with respect to chopped glass fiber as a reinforcement, Modified Reinforced Composite Sample (MRCS) prepared from threads extracted from calamus rotang stem which were hybridized with glass fiber and Neat Composite Sample (NCS) which is only glass fiber reinforced with epoxy were prepared through manual hand lay-up route. Tensile and flexural testing has been done to examine the mechanical property response of the prepared composite. It's observed that calamus rotang stem both as fiber and filler effectively influence the mechanical properties of composite. It is observed that, tensile strength of the composite with 8wt%(MMCS-8) is found to be 85 ± 1.2 MPa and bending strength of 132 ± 2.3MPa which is 8.5% and 28.18% better than MMCS-12 respectively which is comparable in performance to NCS. Experimental findings were validated through Finite Element Analysis. Further, four microphone impedance tube test is performed to calculate the sound transmission loss (STL) for the developed composite. In addition to this, vibration test is performedwhich includes natural frequency determinationand damping factor estimation. Microstructural analysis for mechanical tested samples has been performed using SEM (Scanning electronic microscopy) to assess the damage mode. Due to improved acoustic and damping properties of these natural fibers , the proposed combination of hybrid composites would be recommended for building insulations and automotive components.
Source: Results in Engineering
Authors: Lokesh K S, Shrinivasa Mayya D, Yashwanth H L, Sharanya I S, Hrithika Nikam, Channa Keshava Reddy K L
Language: English
Subfield: Polymers and Plastics
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,940
OpenAlex ID: W4407941541