Multi-axial mechanical characterization of jute fiber/polyester composite materials

The work describes the mechanics of novel woven jute fibers reinforced polyester (JFRP) laminates under uniaxial and multi-axial static and fatigue loading cases. JFRP laminates with 25% fiber volume fraction (FVF) have been manufactured using a hand-layup molding technique at a low pressure. Static uniaxial tests have shown that these novel bio-reinforced laminates have an ultimate tensile strength around 42 MPa under tensile loading and 7.5 N-m under torsional loading. The Multi-axial (tension/torsion) static tests yield an ultimate strength of 21.7 MPa and 5 N-m for tensile and torsion loading conditions, respectively. Fatigue tests have been carried out under displacement and angular control at three different loading levels with a frequency of 5 Hz. The fatigue tests results are extensively analyzed using stiffness degradation behavior, hysteresis loops, energy dissipation and strain versus number of cycles (ɛ-N) diagrams. The fatigue endurance limit (over one million cycles) for JFRP is achieved at a stress level of 65% of ultimate displacement. The implication of this work is the use of these materials in areas such as car and aircraft interiors promises to significantly reduce weight, cost and carbon footprints without sacrificing performance.