Mechanical strength enhancement of natural fibre composites via localized hybridization with stitch reinforcement

Chithambara Thanu; Fantin Irudaya Raj; Appadurai; Lurthu Pushparaj

doi:10.1515/ipp-2023-4371

Article

Mechanical strength enhancement of natural fibre composites via localized hybridization with stitch reinforcement

Chithambara Thanu , Fantin Irudaya Raj , Appadurai and Lurthu Pushparaj

Published/Copyright: July 3, 2023

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From the journal International Polymer Processing Volume 38 Issue 5

Abstract

Stress concentration is an unavoidable phenomenon during the fabrication of composite structures. This research focuses on reducing stress concentration. Circular holes made on the composite structural member induce stress-concentrated regions. These stress-concentrated regions around the circular hole (considered as a weak section) were strengthened by adding synthetic fibre (local hybridization) in the form of fibre stitches (locked loop stitch). Through conducting a single fibre pull-out test, the present study analysed the impact of incorporating synthetic fibres in stitch form and the enhancement of Interfacial Shear Strength (IFSS). The load acting on the broken warp fibres is distributed to the broken weft fibres when the number of concentric stitches increases. The increment of concentric stitches resulted in the increase of IFSS due to localized hybridization. The tensile test results also show a significant improvement with 110 Nmm axial fastening force, from 6.749 MPa (for the natural fibre composite) to 76.91 MPa (for locally hybridized with eight concentric stitches). A simple bolted lap joint with local hybridization around the hole has been evaluated for different clamp-up forces. The best combinations of the clamp-up force and the extent of hybridization have been identified. SEM images illustrate the reduced voids and the reduced fibre pull-out due to the local hybridization around delamination-prone areas.

Keywords: fastened joints; interfacial shear strength; localized hybridization; natural fibre composite; stitch reinforcement; stress concentration

Corresponding author: Fantin Irudaya Raj, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Dr. Sivanthi Aditanar College of Engineering, Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu, India, E-mail: fantinraj@gmail.com

Author contribution: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: There is no fund received from any entity towards the work presented in the manuscript.
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there is no known conflict of interest in the work presented in the current manuscript.

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Received: 2023-03-22

Accepted: 2023-05-30

Published Online: 2023-07-03

Published in Print: 2023-11-27

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/ipp-2023-4371

Keywords for this article

fastened joints; interfacial shear strength; localized hybridization; natural fibre composite; stitch reinforcement; stress concentration