Computational and Experimental Investigation & Analysis on the Effect of Milled Basalt Fibre Fillers on Static Flexural Properties of the Natural Fibre Composites for Aerospace and Automobile Industrial Applications

Computational and Experimental Investigation & Analysis on the Effect of Milled Basalt Fibre Fillers on Static Flexural Properties of the Natural Fibre Composites for Aerospace and Automobile Industrial Applications

Kabir S M

B.E. Aeronautical Engineering, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) Campus, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

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Abstract - Academic and industry researchers are focused on developing a material that satisfies various parameters such as durability, manufacturability, low cost, lightweight, adaptability, high strength, bio-degradability, etc. to meet the current day trends across aerospace and automotive industries. In engineering and technology, fiber-reinforced matrix composites and their applications are extensive. The addition of fillers (both natural and synthetic) along with matrix and fibers is considered to be a better option to increase the efficiency and performance of the composite materials. Recently, researchers have focussed on adding fillers along with matrix and its hybridization to lift the composite properties and applications. This research paper describes the computational and experimental investigation & analysis on the effect of milled basalt fibre fillers on static flexural properties of the natural fibre composites for aerospace and automobile applications. As a first step, an optimized milled filler percentage is examined by incorporating the basalt milled filler into the epoxy laminates from 0.5% to 3% weight percentages concerning epoxy laminates. Finally, the 1% filler incorporated epoxy laminates showed better results than the base samples. Then, the 1% milled basalt filler material was incorporated into basalt fiber and areca fiber with epoxy resin and hardener to make the composite laminates for static testing. The static testing was carried out with the help of a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) i.e. the three-point bending test. The filler-incorporated basalt and areca nut epoxy composite laminates show higher flexural properties than the base samples with 0% filler material. The project work was also carried out with the help of ANSYS software with proper filler material and epoxy composite laminates for static testing. The flexural properties of the filler-incorporated composite laminates show higher properties than the base samples. Results reveal that the flexural properties of the composite laminates from experimental testing and software analysis are of less error percentage difference.

Key Words:  Composite materials & structures, Matrix, Fibres, Fillers, Mechanical properties, Static testing, Flexural properties and ANSYS