Session: 16-01-01: Government Agency Student Poster Competition

Paper Number: 150726

150726 - Mechanical and Thermal Property Testing of Hybridized Laminate Composites 

Development and Characterization of Vitrimer-Incorporated and Treated Sugarcane Bagasse-Based Hybrid Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Laminate Composites.

This work presents the fabrication and characterization of hybridized carbon fiber-reinforced laminate composites integrated with sugarcane bagasse and vitrimeric matrix. The purpose of this study is to formulate improved mechanical and thermal properties of composites with sustainable consumption of agricultural wastes. Three different forms of sugarcane bagasse will be considered: raw, carbonized, and activated. Every form undergoes strict preprocessing to include washing for impurities, sonication for dispersion, drying to remove moisture, grinding of powder for uniformity of particle size, sifting to classify the particle distribution, carbonization to convert the organic material into carbon, activation to increase surface area and porosity, and purification to be compatible with the polymer matrix.

 

In this research, the laminate composite has been prepared using the hand lay-up technique with eight layers of carbon fiber films to improve the structure and mechanical strength. The primary curing lasted for 24 hours under ambient temperature for maximum polymerization and bonding of the composite layers as a whole. For the improvement of thermal stability and mechanical properties of the composite material, post curing was done at two different temperatures—100°C and 150°C—each for two hours.

 

For example, details of the complete mechanical characterization of the hybrid composite include 3-point bending tests for flexural strength and modulus, dynamic mechanical analysis for assessing viscoelastic behavior and testing storage moduli, weight drop impact testing for impact resistance and energy absorption capacity, and compressive tests to obtain compressive strength and modulus. These tests will give information on the detailed mechanical performance and deformation behavior of a material under various loading conditions.

 

Future directions of research regard thermal analysis techniques: differential scanning calorimetry to determine glass transition temperature, melting behavior, crystallization kinetics, and thermogravimetry to estimate thermal stability and degradation patterns of the considered materials. This work will be further developed to test the self-healing efficiency in a composite material for assessing its autonomous damage repair capabilities, thus allowing extended service life.

 

The hybridization process of a treated sugarcane bagasse with carbon fiber through a vitrimer matrix in the composite is an emerging strategy for developing high-performance, eco-friendly materials for applicability. This work will not only remain within the domains of vaporization of agricultural waste but will contribute immensely to the development of sustainable composites, which most often depicts improved mechanical and thermal properties. The outcome from this study is expected to have meaningful impacts on different industrial sectors like automotive, aerospace, and construction, involving materials with high performances.

keywords: Sugarcane Bagasse, Carbon Fiber, Vitrimer, Hybrid Composite, Mechanical Properties, Thermal Stability, Sustainable Materials, Self-Healing Efficiency.

Presenting Author: Abubakar Sumaila Southern University A&M College

Presenting Author Biography: At Southern University A&M College in Baton-Rouge, Louisiana, Abubakar Sumaila is a graduate student. Right now, he's working on a master's in mechanical engineering.Reliability-centered maintenance, industrial research and development, advanced composite materials, material science, and industrial maintenance are among his research interests.Mr. Sumaila is committed to improving material performance and durability and is passionate about innovation. His goal is to use his academic background to his advantage and pursue a prosperous career in the field, making significant contributions to innovative developments and useful technical applications. He is positioned as a prospective professional in the mechanical engineering area due to his devotion to both academic brilliance and practical solutions.

Authors:

Abubakar Sumaila Southern University A&M College
Patrick Mensah Southern University A&M College
Maryam Jahan Southern University A&M College