Date of Award
13-7-2024
Document Type
Thesis
School
School of Mechanical Engineering
Programme
Ph.D.-Doctoral of Philosophy
First Advisor
Dr.P.Dinesh Babu
Keywords
Biodegradable Polymer, Natural Fibers, Mechanical Behaviours, Machinability Study, Optimization Algorithm
Abstract
The study presents a comprehensive investigation into the development, characterization, and machining analysis of novel bio-based polymer hybrid composites comprising Polylactic acid (PLA), bamboo powders (BP), and montmorillonite clay particles (MMT). Initially, the hybrid composites were fabricated using a solvent-free stir casting process, optimizing the weight percentages of BP and MMT to enhance mechanical and thermal properties.
Mechanical tests, including tensile, flexural, and impact tests, along with thermal analysis using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, were conducted to evaluate the performance of the composites. In the subsequent phases, advanced machining techniques were employed to analyze the machining characteristics of the optimized hybrid composite. Abrasive water jet machining was utilized to systematically assess surface roughness, kerf angle, and material removal rate.
A Box-Behnken design of experiments, combined with Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multi- Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO), allowed for the identification of the best machining parameters, including traverse rate, abrasive feed rate, and standoff distance, to achieve excellent machining performance.
In the final phase, laser machining was investigated as a precise material cutting technique for the PLA/BP/clay hybrid composite. Machinability evaluation focused on key parameters including laser power, scan speed, and gas pressure, with ANOVA utilized to understand their impact on quality characteristics. A model that combines the RSM, ANOVA, and MOPSO algorithms was employed to predict and improve the quality parameters of laser cutting.
Recommended Citation
K, Nirmal Kumar Mr, "Experimental Investigation on Mechanical Properties of PLA Reinforced by Bamboo Fiber/Montmorillonite Clay Hybrid Composites and Analysis of Machining Characteristics" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 65.
https://knowledgeconnect.sastra.edu/theses/65