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Materials Today: Proceedings 16 (2019) 883–888 www.materialstoday.com/proceedings

ICAMMAS17

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BOEHMERIA NIVEA

REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITE
B.Murali a, B.Vijaya Ramnathb, D.Chandramohanc
a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Veltech, Avadi, Chennai 600062, Tamilnadu, India
b
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sairam Engineering. College, Chennai 600044, Tamilnadu, India
c
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science, Chennai 603103,Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

This study leaves a feasibility of reinforcing Boehmeria nivea(Ramie) fiber collected from the bark of Boehmeria nivea plant in
polymer matrix composites. Boehmeria nivea plant was used in ancient medical applications. In recent years, scientists and
engineers have been working together to increase the strength and performance of the bio-based composites by reinforcing new
natural fibers in various polymer matrices. In this study the Tensile, Compression and Flexural properties of Boehmeria nivea
(7% of fiber by weight) reinforced polymer matrix composite were analyzed.
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and/or Peer-review under responsibility of International Conference on Advances in Materials, Manufacturing and
Applied Sciences.

Key words : Boehmeria nivea; Mechanical properties; Polymer Matrix Composites.

1. Introduction

There has been recent interest in developing composites based on short-fibers obtained from agricultural
resources. These fibers are usually of lower density than artificial fibers, environmentally-friendly, and relatively
easy to obtain. In short-fiber reinforced polymer composites, the integrity of the fiber/matrix interface needs to be
high for efficient load transfer. Ideally, the molten polymer would spread over and adhere to the fiber, thus creating
a strong adhesive bond. The chemical modification, known as a coupling agent, acts as a ‘‘bridge’’ between the
inorganic fiber and the organic polymer matrix. The ‘‘bridge’’ must adhere or bond to the fiber and, in turn, strongly
interact with the polymer. The coupling agent is not required for organic fibers reinforcement. [1]

* B.Murali. Tel.: +91-9790501338

E-mail address: bmprojectss@gmail.com

2214-7853 © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Selection and/or Peer-review under responsibility of International Conference on Advances in Materials, Manufacturing and Applied Sciences.
884 B. Murali et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 16 (2019) 883–888

Natural Fiber Composites

The interest toward characteristic fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials will be quickly developing both
As far as their streamlined provisions Also essential investigate. They would renewable, cheap, totally alternately
incompletely recyclable, and biodegradable. Plants, for example, such that flax, cotton, hemp, jute, sisal, kenaf,
pineapple, ramie, bamboo, banana, and so forth throughout this way, observing and stock arrangement of all
instrumentation may be echo. , and in addition wood, utilized starting with time immemorial as An wellspring of
lignocelluloses fibers, are an ever increasing amount frequently connected as those support of composites. Their
availability, renewability, low density, Furthermore value and in addition palatable mechanical properties aggravate
them a engaging biological elective on glass, carbon Also man-consuming shark fibers utilized to the manufacturing
of composites.
Those characteristic fiber-containing composites would more naturally friendly, What's more need aid utilized
within transportation (automobiles, track coaches, aerospace), military applications, fabricating What's more
development commercial enterprises (ceiling panelling, segment boards), packaging, customer products, and so
forth.
Natural Fiber Classifications
Regular fibers incorporate the individuals made from plant, creature Also mineral sources. Regular fibers camwood
make ordered as stated by their Inception.
Plant fiber : Plant fibers need aid by comprised primarily for cellulose: cases incorporate cotton, jute, flax, ramie,
sisal Furthermore hemp. A cellulose acetic acid derivation fiber serves in the assembling of paper Furthermore
fabric. This fiber cam wood be further categorizes under taking after.
Seed fiber : Fibers gathered starting with those seed Also seed the event eg. Cotton Furthermore kapok.
Leaf beet fiber: Fibers gathered from the abandons eg. Sisal Also agave.
Skin fiber : Fibers are gathered starting with the skin alternately bast encompassing those undifferentiated from
claiming their particular plant. These fibers have higher rigidity over different fibers. Therefore, these fibers need
aid utilized to tough yarn, fabric, packaging, What's more paper. Exactly samples necessity flax, jute, banana
Furthermore hemp.
Fruit/seed fiber : Fibers are gathered from those apples and oranges of the plant, eg. Coconut (coir) fiber.
Stalk fiber : Fibers need aid really the stalks of the plant. eg. Straws from claiming wheat, rice, grain Furthermore
different products including bamboo Also grass. Tree wood may be likewise such a fiber.

2. Materials and methods

Boehmeria Nivea
Baehmeria nivea could be a perennial, non woody or woody plant plant while not branches once cultivated.
it's slender stalks that reach a height of 3-6 linear unit. and that they bear cord form leaves that square measure
inexperienced on top of and white at a lower place. The plant is from Asia and was full-grown in China in earlier
period. It needs a fertile, well-drained soil. Many crops p.a. catch up on a rather low yield, particularly in North
America.
Fine fibers square measure obtained from the bast, that square measure terribly long, robust and sturdy.
They even have a high degree of luster and would be fascinating for textile functions were it not for difficulties
within the extraction and cleanup method. The stems square measure immersed in water. The bark is then in the
buff off and also the outer parts and inexperienced tissue square measure scraped off or square measure removed by
oiling or mechanical means that. The fibers that stay square measure heavily coated with gum and need any
treatment before they'll be used. They create up the bog hemp, or Filose, that's employed in the manufacture of grass
fabric and different dress merchandise in Asia.

Epoxy Resin
Epoxy, or else called as polyepoxide, is a thermosetting polymer framed from response of an epoxide "resin" with
polyamine "hardener". Epoxy has an extensive variety of uses, including fiber-strengthened plastic materials and
broadly useful glues. Epoxy gums are made by changing fluid polyethers into infusible solids through a unique
curing process. Epoxy gums have a wide range of employments. For instance, gums that are cured through
presentation to bright light are ordinarily utilized as a part of fiber optics, optoelectronics, and dentistry. Mechanical
 B. Murali et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 16 (2019) 883–888 885

tooling applications utilize epoxy pitches to make overlays, castings, installations, and molds. In the hardware
business, epoxy pitches can be utilized to make separators, transformers, generators, and switchgear.

3.Experimental details
Mould material
The mould was made of wood. The component could not be removed from the mould without external force. It
could be removed only by grinding the mould. But grinding may reduce the strength of the component due to
undesired forces on it. So wood mould was not preferred.
By using metals, Split mould was made. White wax coating was given, so the resin hardener mixture did not stick
to the metal mould. The specimen was easily removed.

Specimen Specifications
Tensile Test
The ASTM standard D-638 was followed to find the Tensile strength. [6]

Fig. 1. Specimen for Tensile Test

Compression Test
The ASTM standard D-695 was followed to find the Compressive strength. [6]

Fig. 2. Specimen for Compression Test

Flexural Test
The ASTM standard D-790 was followed for testing the flexural property. [4]

Fig. 3. Specimen for Flexural Test

Split mould
The split moulds for Impact and Flexural tests were made by cast iron material. The dimensions of the
mould cavities were as per ASTM standards with 0.5mm allowance for wax coating. The surface of the mould was
grinded to get smooth surface finish.
886 B. Murali et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 16 (2019) 883–888

Fiber Processing
The fibers were collected from bark of Boehmeria niveaplant. Before using the fiber, it was washed with
10% NaOH solution and rinsed in hot water to remove the cellulose from fiber surface for getting better binding
with polymer matrix. It was dried in sunlight to remove moisture in the fiber. [5] The dried fiber was cut to 3mm
long which increase the composite stiffness. [5]

4.Result and Dissussion

TENSILE TEST:

Tensile strength of BOEHMERIA NIVEA fiber reinforced (epoxy resin) composite was found to be 6.80MPa and
Elongation was found to be 2.475% is shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4. Tensile strength of specimen

Fig. 5. Tensile strength of specimen 2

COMPRESSION TEST:

Compression strength of BOEHMERIA NIVEA fiber reinforced (epoxy resin) composite was found to be
3.199MPa is shown in Fig.6
 B. Murali et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 16 (2019) 883–888 887

Fig. 6. Compression strength of specimen 1

Fig. 7. Compression strength of specimen 2

Flexural Test:
Flexural strength of BOEHMERIA NIVEAfiber reinforced (epoxy resin) composite was found to be
33MPa and its shown in Fig.8.

Fig. 8. Flexural strength for specimen 1

888 B. Murali et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 16 (2019) 883–888

Fig. 9. Flexural strength for specimen

4. Conclusion

Results were obtained for Tensile, Compression and flexural tests. It was found that the density of composite
decreases drastically by reinforcing BOEHMERIA NIVEA fiber in epoxy resin. Tensile strength of BOEHMERIA
NIVEA fiber reinforced (epoxy resin) composite was found to be 6.80MPa, Compression strength was found to be
3.199MPa and Flexural strength was 33MPa. The use of BOEHMERIA NIVEA implies significant cost benefits in
manufacturing composite material when compared to synthetic fiber composite. The strength of the BOEHMERIA
NIVEA fiber composite can be increased by increasing the fiber content i.e. weight proportion and by the use of
fiber as a mat or chopped strand or long laminates. This study leaves wide scope for future investigations. We can
achieve the eco-friendly green environment by implementation of this new composite material in real time
application.
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