Padmavathi K R’s research while affiliated with Panimalar Engineering College and other places

A customary ratio of vinyl ester (VER) and Polyurethane (PU) resin were chosen as the matrix material (blend) to attain the complete Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPN). In this course of research, the mechanical properties of the Banana fiber reinforced IPN (blend) matrix were thoroughly investigated by precisely varying the loading of polyurethane into vinylester as 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% PU respectively. Besides that, the fabricated banana fiber reinforced polyurethane loaded IPN laminate were experimentally investigated in order to characterize the strength of the laminate as per the ASTM standards. The test results exhibit that, strain rate of the laminate increases to many folds as compared (Tensile 0% PU - 0.45% & 50% PU - 3.1%, Flexural 0% PU – 0.62% & 50% PU – 3.73%) with the neat vinylester resin based banana fiber reinforced laminate. In addition to that, it also increases the impact strength and moisture resistance (Impact 0% PU – 2.93 kJ/m2 & 50% PU - 8.01 kJ/m², Moisture 0% PU – 0.42% & 50% PU – 0.96%) of the IPN laminate considerably depends upon the loading of the polyurethane. As well as to validate further, the fractured surfaces were assessed through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Finally the experimental values were also cross-verified by analytical simulation software by using ANSYS. Finally, the cross-verification proved that both the results of experimental and FEA analysis of the material were in good co-relation with each other. Keywords Vinylester; polyurethane; interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs); banana fiber; scanning electron microscope; ANSYS

The influence of lignite flyash into the interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) matrix is thoroughly investigated in this study. The standard weight ratio of E-Glass fiber have been chosen as the reinforcement into the IPN (vinylester/polyurethane) matrix, along with the varying loading of flyash as 0 %, 1 %, 3 %, 5 %, 7 %, 9 % (wt. ratio) respectively, fabricated through the hand lay-up technique. In order to completely understand the physical properties of the flyash loaded IPN composite (E-glass fiber reinforcement) specimen’s tests like differential thermal analysis (DTA), Tensile, Flexural, Compression, Impact, HDT (Heat Deflection Test), and wear test is performed. It was interesting to note that, upon loading the flyash into the matrix, the test result confirms that, there was a precipitous increase in the physical strength of all the specimens’ up to the level of 5 % flyash loading except compressive and Barcoal hardness. Moreover to completely know about the bonding and de-bonding strength (flyash & matrix) of the fractured surfaces scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis has been carried out. Out of all, the 5 % flyash loaded specimens have showed unique characteristics in physical strength, wear resistance and enhanced thermal stability as compared with the remaining set of flyash loaded samples.