Experiment no: 05

Name of the experiment: Characterization of Fiber Reinforced Polymer

Matrix Composite

Course no: MME476

Group no: 2B
Submitted by,
1511031
1511032
1511033
1511034
1511035

Date of performance: 26.08.2019

Date of submission: 02.09.2019
Objective:
Properties of polymeric materials are very sensitive to their processing techniques. They are
more sensitive when polymers are reinforced with fibers. In this experiment, composite of both
thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers will be developed by hand-lay-up and hot pressing
techniques respectively. In this experiment, tensile and flexural tests will be performed.

Theory:
Tensile properties as determined by the test method helps us to know the stress-strain behavior of
the composite specimen, their fracture characteristics under load.
Flexural properties are useful for quality control and specification purposes. It depends on depth
of specimen, temperature, atmospheric conditions and the difference in rate of stirring during
casting process.

Apparatus:
i. Slide Calipers.
ii. Universal Testing Machine

Sample:
i. Polypropylene
ii. Polyester + Jute
iii. Polypropylene+ Jute

Procedure:
Tensile test:
1. All the required measurements of the specimen was taken.
2. Then the sample was placed in the UTM.

3. Jaw speed was maintained 2mm/min for sample 2&3 but for polypropylene it was increased to
35mm/min.
4. After the test, the broken pieces of the sample were gathered together to determine elongation.
5. UTS and modulus were noted from the computer screen.
Flexural test (3 point):
1. All the required measurements of the specimen was taken.
2. The sample was placed on the two supports and load was applied by the upper jaw of UTM.
3. Jaw speed was maintained 6mm/min for all the specimens.
4. After the completion of the test, values of flexural strength and modulus were noted from the
screen.
Result:
Tensile test:

Tensile test specimen

Sample PP Polyester+Jute PP+Jute
Jaw speed (mm/min) 35 2 2
Width (mm) 14.7 12.7 12
Thickness (mm) 5.6 3.25 2.7
Gauge length before Tensile test(mm) 55.4 54.6 52
Gauge length after Tensile test(mm) 240 55 53.9

Comparative Tensile Test data:

Sample PP PP+Jute Polyester+Jute

Modulus (MPa) 270 792.2 2073

UTS (MPa) 140.58 40.41 38.05

Elongation (%) 333.21 3.65 0.733

Flexural test:

Flexural test specimen

Sample PP Polyester+Jute PP+Jute
Jaw speed (mm/min) 6 6 6
Width (mm) 15.7 15.8 12.6
Thickness (mm) 4.8 4.8 3
Span Length = Thickness*16 (mm) 76.8 76.8 48
Comparative Flexural data:
Sample PP PP+Jute Polyester+Jute

Modulus (MPa) 173 1283 444

Flexural Strength (KN) 0.0218 0.0643 0.0595

Discussion:
Tensile test:
 From the test data it is visible that composite of polypropylene with jute fiber has higher
UTS and modulus and lower elongation in comparison with polypropylene. Making
composite with polypropylene and jute fiber increases the strength and stiffness but
decreases ductility. On the other hand, UTS and modulus is found to be highest for
Polyester+Jute composite. As polyester is a thermoset it showed high strength and
stiffness.
 Elongation showed opposite nature. Highest elongation was found for PP. During
manufacturing polyethylene was added with PP which increased its elasticity. Sample
didn`t failed in the end although the jaw speed was as high as 35mm/min and the
elongation found to be more than 300 percent. Elongation of Polyester+Jute composite
was the lowest as polyester make the composite stiff. The elongation of PP+Jute was
moderate, in between PP & Polyester+Jute. Presence of jute fiber made the PP matrix
stiff so the elongation decreased.
 Both of the composite specimens failed. Fracture surface was rough which resembles
ductile failure. PP sample didn`t fail.
Flexural test:
 Polypropylene is very ductile that`s why it flexural strength and modulus is quite low, as
required strength to bend the specimen is low. By adding fiber reinforcement, stiffness of
PP+Jute composite increased which result in higher flexural strength and modulus.
Presence of jute fiber in the thermoplastic PP polymer increased its toughness, that’s why
the specimen was quite difficult to bend. On the other hand, data showed the flexural
strength and modulus of Polyester+Jute composite is lower than that of PP composite.
Although thermoset matrix is stiffer than PP matrix.