Stamp Forming Performance Of Palm Fiber Composites

Sivakumar, Dhar Malingam and Ahmad, Rivai and Sivarao, Subramonian and Mohd. Zulkefli, Selamat and Mohd Nur Azmi, Nordin (2012) Stamp Forming Performance Of Palm Fiber Composites. Project Report. UTeM, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

Text (24 pages) Stamp Forming Performance Of Palm Fiber Composites 24 Pages.pdf - Submitted Version Download (240kB)

Abstract

Composite materials have been vastly known worldwide for its uses in various sectors such as aerospace, infrastructures and automotive industries. Natural fibres are gaining recognition as a substitute to synthetic fibres due to their recyclability and abundance. Oil palm fibre reinforced polypropylene composite panel has the potential to be stamp formed in order to build complex geometries. In stamp forming the most sensitive feature is elastic recovery during unloading. This phenomenon will affect the net dimension of the final product. This research studies the effects of tool radius, feed rate, temperature and weight ratio of fibre to polypropylene on the spring-back of oil palm fibre composite. A Vbending die will be used to characterise the spring-back angle of the oil palm fibre composite. Statistical analysis conducted shows all the studied parameters gave significant effect towards spring-back. The higher the temperature, feed rate and fibre composition (up to 30wt %) the smaller the spring-back and it is vice versa for tool radius. An empirical model was formulated to predict the spring-back angle. Using a stereo microscope as a visual aid shows that at the temperature of 150°C, fibre composition of 30wt%, tool radius of 2mm and feed rate of 500mm/min, the specimens deformed surface is smooth and cracks were not visible. Comparatively for specimens at a temperature of 130°C, fibre composition 10wt%, tool radius of 6mm and feed rate of 300mm/min, micro-cracks are visible. This may lead to failure of the oil palm fibre composite.

Actions (login required)

View Item