Maximum Quasi-Static Indentation Stress Analysis of Flax/Epoxy and Glass/Epoxy Polymer Composites

The use of fibres is constantly expanding to satisfy the demands of various industries. Both synthetic and natural fibres offer benefits that are best suited to specific applications. Synthetic fibres are preferable than the natural fibres because they have greater mechanical properties. However, in their application, synthetic fibres negatively influence the environment as they are non-biodegradable material. As a result, the demand and usage of natural fibres keep increasing as an alternative to the synthetic fibres. The usage of natural fibres reduces negative impact on the environmental, though their properties are not as good as synthetic fibres. ANSYS APDL, one of the FEA analysis software, is used to perform quasi-static indentation (QSI) test modelling in this research work. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of fibre orientations of 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, and 90 degrees, as well as the effect of the supporting ply angle, 0 degrees, on the mechanical properties of Flax FRP composite. For layup sequences of [(+0,-0)2] S and [(+/- 0)2,04] S, it was observed that maximum strength increases from 0 degrees to 90 degrees fibre orientation. Meanwhile, in a QSI test, the highest strength of Flax FRP was found at 45 degrees for both [(+0,-0)2] S and [(+/- 0)2,04] S layup sequences, with 94.20 MPa and 96.80 MPa, respectively. The effect of fibre volume fraction (Vf), such as Glass FRP composites with fibre volume fractions of 30% and 60%, shows that the fibre volume fraction for 60% has a better performance than 30%. Therefore, composites with a higher fibre volume fraction show better maximum strength and lower deformability. The results of modelling and simulation work on Flax FRP composites can aid in developing new materials that are more sustainable than conventional techniques by anticipating the mechanical behaviour of natural FRP composites.