Research Article

Optimization of the Young's modulus of woven composite material made by Raphia vinifiera fiber/epoxy

¹ Research Unit for Mechanics and Modeling of Physical Systems- (UR2MSP), University of Dschang, Cameroon
² Research Unit of Industrial and systems Engineering Environment (URISIE), University Institute of Technology (FOSTO Victor Bandjoun), University of Dschang, Cameroon
³ Laboratory of Mechanics and Adapted Materials (LAMMA), ENSET, University of Douala, Cameroon

^* e-mails: kendjoums@gmail.com; nicodeme.sikame@univ-dschang.org

Received: 10 December 2021
Accepted: 20 September 2022

Abstract

This work focuses on the optimal design of the woven fabrics made from Raphia vinifiera, fiber, and their contribution as reinforcing element in the epoxy matrix. The work is done alternately experimentally and theoretically. The woven made of canvas, twill and satin armor are characterized in traction according to the ISO13934-1 standard [1]. A predictive mathematical model of Young's modulus of the woven with the greatest rigidity is established. The woven reinforcement composite made is characterized in traction and bending according to EN ISO 527-5 [2] and NF EN ISO 14125 [3] standards. In order to determine the reinforcement rate which gives the highest young modulus of the material, the gradient method was applied on some prediction equations of Young's modulus of composite material. Then find the prediction equation that best corresponds to the composite made. The results showed that mathematical modeling works corroborates with experimental works. On the woven fabrics the canvas armor has the highest Young's modulus in the warp and weft direction (2.429, 21.164 GPa). Followed by twill (2315, 18 741 GPa) and satin (2184, 18.54 GPa). On the composite, the reinforcement rate from which the material is optimized is 50%. The composite young's moduli in the warp and weft direction resulting from the tensile and bending tests of the composite are respectively (3.644, 7.31 GPa) and (1.802, 4.52). In a nutshell, this work presents the theoretical and experimental aspect of the best material which can be obtained with R. vinifiera fiber with respect to its Young modulus.