Title: Polyester-based redmud reinforced banana fibre composites: impact and flexural property studies

Authors: V. Arumugaprabu; M. Uthayakumar; V. Manikandan

Addresses: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Kalasalingam University, Anand Nagar, Krishnankoil-626126, India ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Kalasalingam University, Anand Nagar, Krishnankoil-626126, India ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Kalasalingam University, Anand Nagar, Krishnankoil-626126, India

Abstract: Redmud (RM)-based polymer composite is one of the most promising fillers to be used for composite preparation. In this work, redmud is used as a secondary reinforcement along with banana fibre combined with the polyester matrix. Redmud and banana fibre of varying weight percentage in the ratio 50:50 are taken for this study. Banana fibre of 30 mm optimal length is used for this study. Redmud of different weight percentages varying from 10 to 50% wt has been taken for this study. The composites are prepared by compression moulding method. Impact and flexural strength studies are carried out for different composite combinations subjected to dry and wet (moisture) conditions. The results showed that the addition of redmud filler of 10% wt and fibre of 40% wt increases the impact strength by 43% due to the more amount of energy absorption. It decreases the flexural strength by 34% respectively due to poor bonding and dispersion of filler. In the case of composites subjected to moisture study shows same phenomenon when compared with the virgin composites.

Keywords: redmud; banana fibre; polyester; moisture studies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAET.2018.088827

International Journal of Computer Aided Engineering and Technology, 2018 Vol.10 No.1/2, pp.42 - 53

Received: 08 Sep 2015
Accepted: 11 Jan 2016
Published online: 20 Dec 2017 *

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