Affiliation:
1. PES University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, India
Abstract
<div>Currently, there is a growing tendency to incorporate natural fibers in
composites due to their affordability, lightweight nature, and eco-friendliness.
Researchers are continuously exploring new materials that offer improved
mechanical properties for a broader range of applications. In this work, an
experimental investigation on tensile and fatigue behavior of jute-wool
felt-reinforced epoxy hybrid laminate is carried, in addition to an E-glass
fiber-reinforced epoxy laminate that helps in comparison. Constant amplitude
tensile fatigue test is conducted for 80%, 70%, and 60% of the ultimate load of
respective composites at a stress ratio of 0.1 and frequency of 7 Hz for both
laminates. The jute-wool felt composite showed good fatigue resistance. Though
glass fiber composite showed higher tensile strength, jute-wool felt composite
exhibits higher fatigue performance than glass fiber composites at higher stress
levels. However, at lower stress levels, glass fiber composite shows better
fatigue resistance than jute-wool felt composite. A prediction model that uses a
few set of experimental results of fatigue test was able to validate the fatigue
behavior of composites. The optical microscope images of failed samples were
analyzed to detect the damage in composites.</div>