International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET)

Volume 7, Issue 1, Jan-Feb 2016, pp. 154-163, Article ID: IJMET_07_01_016

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ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359
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INVESTIGATION OF MECHANICAL
PROPERTIES OF POLYESTER
REINFORCED WITH HEMP FIBRE (LONG
FIBRES AND MAT) FOR PATELLAR
IMPLANT APPLICATION
Chennabasappa Hampali
Sr. Associate Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering,
REVA University, Bangalore,
Chandrashekhar Bendigeri
Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, UVCE, Bangalore
ABSTRACT
This paper includes the study of basic mechanical properties of polymer
composites prepared for polyester as matrix and natural fibers (Hemp long
fiber and Hemp mat fiber) as reinforced materials with different compositions
of 10%, 20% and 30% reinforcement used for patellar implant material. Over
the past centuries, there is lot of research works carried out in the medical
field and materials science in development of biomaterials for implant
applications. So, many different materials are used as implants for replacing
of damaged parts. Over the years, SS316L and UHMWPE have established as
the best available patellar implant materials. In advancing field of material
science, metallurgy and designing, still there is scope for development for
more advanced bio-materials with better properties. It has been observed that
the mechanical properties of Polyester reinforced with Hemp fibre (long fibres
and mat) show better properties than UHMWPE. These properties of
composites are found to be suitable for the patellar implant material.
Key words: PMC, Hemp, Long fibre, Mat fibre, tensile test, Compression test,
bending test
Cite this Article: Chennabasappa Hampali and Chandrashekhar Bendigeri.
The Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Polyester Reinforced with
Hemp Fibre (Long Fibres and Mat) For Patellar Implant Application,
International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 7(1), 2016,
pp. 154-163.
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Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Polyester Reinforced with Hemp Fibre (Long

Fibres and Mat) For Patellar Implant Application

1. INTRODUCTION
Over the past centuries there is a considerable development in the medical field. There
is a lot of development in surgery and prosthetic fields. For this purpose a lot of
alternative materials are used for implants while replacing them in place of damaged
parts. These materials are called bio-materials.
All these years SS-316L has established itself as the best available bio-implant
material. With the research and development in the field of material science,
metallurgy and design, bio materials have better properties over SS-316L are
observed.
The strength characteristics of any continuous fiber reinforced composite can be
simulated, as long as the fiber orientation in the composite can be identified. Then
mechanical properties of fibrous composites are predicted.
Through the media and conferences it has been observed that there is wide scope
for bio-materials which encourages the researchers in medical field to invent the
alternate materials with required mechanical properties.
In this paper the mechanical properties study of polymer composites prepared
from polyester as matrix and natural fibers (Jute long fiber, Jute mat fiber, Hemp long
fiber and hemp mat fiber) as reinforced materials with different compositions of
10%,20% and30% reinforcement used for implant material.

2. RAW MATERIALS
Raw materials used in this experimental work are:
Polymer- Polyester resin
Hardener
Natural fiber
Hemp (long fiber)
Hemp (mat)
The physical and mechanical properties of polyester are shown in table 1. In the
present work HY 951(Araldite) hardener is used. This has a viscosity of 10-20 poise
at 250oC.
Table 1 Properties of Polyester
Material

Density
(Kg/m3)

Polyester

1200- 1500

Elastic
modulus
(GPa)
2 - 4.5

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Tensile
Strength
(MPa)
40 - 90

155

Compressive
Strength
(MPa)
90 250

Elongation
(%)
2

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Chennabasappa Hampali and Chandrashekhar Bendigeri

Hemp Fiber (Long Fiber & Mat Type)

Figure 1 Hemp long fiber

Figure 2 Hemp mat fiber

Hemp is the name of the soft, durable fiber that is cultivated from plants of
cannabis genus for industrial and commercial use. The common application of the
hemp fiber is to be blend with polypropylene in a nonwoven mat which through
compression moulding technique turns to a three dimensional part. When the hemp
was compared with glass fiber, it has same value of Youngs modulus, a much lower
density and costs (approximately half the price of glass fiber) and a reduction in
moulding time. Hemp fibers are longer, stronger and more absorbent resistant than
cotton. Hemp can be made into fine quality paper. The Hemp long fiber and mat fiber
are shown in figure 1 & figure 2 respectively.
Natural brightness of Hemp can obviate the need to use chlorine bleach. Hemp
grows well in a variety of climates and soil types. It is naturally resistant to most pests
It grows tightly spaced, out-competing any weeds, so herbicides are not necessary.
Hemp can displace cotton which is usually grown with massive amounts of chemicals
which harmful to people and the environment. The properties of Hemp fiber are as
shown in table 2.0
Table 2 Properties of Hemp fiber
Property

Density
(Kg/m3)

Hemp

1480

Elastic
Modulus
(MPa)
30-60

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Tensile strength
(MPa)

Stiffness
KN/mm2

Elongation
(%)

550-900

70

1.6

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Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Polyester Reinforced with Hemp Fibre (Long

Fibres and Mat) For Patellar Implant Application

3. CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMER COMPOSITES

The usefulness of bio-composites are characterized by their properties. The relevant
properties can be physical, mechanical, chemical, optical, electrical, etc. These
properties must be quantitatively determined through experiments following some
standards. Perhaps the most well known standardization organizations are ISO
(International Standards Organization) and ASTM (American Society for Testing and
Materials).

3.1. Methodology
Fabrication of polymer composite with Polyester and Hemp (Long fiber and Mat) has
been carried out by Hand Lay-up method. Then the specimens were prepared
according to ASTM standards to test mechanical properties. The layout of
methodology is show in figure.
Fabrication by Hand Layup Method

Testing of Fabricated composites

Mechanical Properties- Test

Tensile Test

Compression Test

Bending Test

Figure 3 Layout of Preparation and testing of PMCs

3.2. Preparation of Composite Materials

The materials used in preparation of composite materials are:
1. Fiber reinforcement material (Hemp long fiber and Hemp mat)
2. Matrix (Polyester)
3. Acetone
4. Roller
5. Gloves

3.3. Compositions of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

The compositions of polymer composites with long fiber and mat are given in the
following table 3.

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Table 3 Composites of fiber reinforced polymer
COMPOSITES

TYPE

C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
C6

Long fiber
Long fiber
Long fiber
Mat
Mat
Mat

COMPOSITION
POLYESTER
HEMP Weight
Weight %
%
90
10
80
20
70
30
90
10
80
20
70
30

3.4. Rule of Mixtures

'Rules of Mixtures' are mathematical expressions which give some property of the
composite in terms of the properties, quantity and arrangement of its constituents.
They may be based on a number of simplifying assumptions, and their use in design
should be tempered with extreme caution. The theoretical density has been calculated
by applying the rule of mixture to all composites.

3.5. Mould Preparation

First of all the mould for the composite is prepared of size 300 x 300 x 3 mm for the
preparing required composites. A clean smooth surface wooden board is taken and
washed thoroughly. The wooden board is covered with a non-reactive thin plastic
sheet. Then the glass of equal size (thickness 3mm) that of the mould is taken, then
the glass on the wooden board was placed.
3.5.1. Casting
First of all mould release mansion wax was applied on the mould, removal sheet is
spread on the mould then small amount of matrix is poured by placing hemp mat. This
process is repeated till all the mixture of matrix is completed. Then sample test
specimen is left for 72 hr for drying. Weights are placed on the specimens for good
finishing, as shown in figure 4.

Figure 4 Casting process

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Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Polyester Reinforced with Hemp Fibre (Long

Fibres and Mat) For Patellar Implant Application

4. EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS
The following section will elaborate in detail the experimental procedure carried out
during conducting the different tests. The steps involved are:
1. Specimen preparation.

By Hand Lay-Up method.

Cutting of Laminates into samples of desired dimensions.

2. Tensile test
3. Bending test
4. Compression test

Tensile Test
Static tensile properties, such as tensile strength, youngs modulus, failure strain, and
Poissons ratio of flat composite materials, are determined according to ASTM D
3039 standards and sample was cut into flat shape (250x25x3) mm, in according to
ASTM standards D3039 as shown in figure 5.
Bending Test
Static and fatigue flexural properties, such as flexural strength and modulus are
determined by ASTM D 790 test method. In this test, a composite beam specimen of
rectangular cross-section is loaded in either a three-point mode. In this mode, a large
span (L) to thickness (t) ratio of 16, 32, 40, or 60 is usually recommended to minimize
interlaminar shear deformation. Sample was cut into flat shape (20x150x5) mm, in
accordance with ASTM standards D790 as shown in figure 6.
Compression Test
Unlike metals, properties of a composite in tension and compression are not same in
general. Compression testing is one of the most difficult tests which can be performed
on composites. A number of test methods together with specimen designs have been
proposed, with a primary focus on the avoidance of the specimen buckling or global
instability under a compressive load. In-plane static compressive properties can be
determined using either ASTM D 695 or D 3410 test method sample was cut in to flat
shape (150x25x3) mm, in accordance with ASTM standards D3410 as shown in
figure 7

Figure 5 Macrograph of Tensile test specimen

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Chennabasappa Hampali and Chandrashekhar Bendigeri

Figure 6 Macrograph of Bending specimen

Figure 7 Macrograph of Compression specimen

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

This chapter comprises with comparison and discussion of obtained results for
considering feasible alternative material for pattellar implant. For different
composition of developed PMCs, tensile test, compression test and bending tests are
conducted and compared in the bar charts.
Tensile test is conducted on PMC specimen, which are prepared with 10%, 20%
and 30 % Hemp LF and MAT. Results for the tensile test are in bar chart as shown in
figure 8. In the tensile test, Polyester with 30% Hemp mat is found better as compared
to other compositions.

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Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Polyester Reinforced with Hemp Fibre (Long

Fibres and Mat) For Patellar Implant Application
120

UTS(MPa)

100
80
60
40
20
0

P10HL
47

UTS(MPa)

P20HL
84

P30HL
96

P10HM
86

P20HM
92.3

P30HM
98.2

Figure 8 Ultimate Tensile Stress v/s PMCs

Comp. Strength (MPa)

Compression test is conducted on PMC specimen, which are prepared with 10%,
20% and 30 % Hemp LF and MAT. Results from the compression test is in bar chart
as shown in figure 9. In the compression test, Polyester with 30% Hemp laong fiber is
found better as compared to other composition
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
P10HL P20HL P30HL
Comp. Strength(MPa)

51

92

133

P10H
M
69

P20H
M
65

P30H
M
61

Figure 9 Compressive Stress v/s PMCs

Bending test is conducted on PMC specimen, which are prepared with 10%, 20%
and 30 % hemp LF and MAT. Results from the bending test is in bar chart as shown
in fig 10. In the bending test, Polyester with 30% Hemp laong fiber is found slightly
better as compared to other composition

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Chennabasappa Hampali and Chandrashekhar Bendigeri

Bending Strength (MPa)

120
100
80
60

40
20
0

P10HL
Bending Strength (MPa)
101

P20HL
106.3

P30HL
111.6

P10HM
109

P20HM
96.6

P30HM
84.2

Figure 10 Bending Stress v/s PMCs

6. CONCLUSION
The following are the observations listed by above results,

The density of polymer composite materials is approximately 1380 Kg/m3 and it is

similar to the density of bone (1000 to 2000 Kg/m3).

The tensile strength of the polymer composite with hemp long fiber is observed to be
more than the polymer composite with hemp mat for both combinations.

Compressive strength of the polymer composite with hemp long fiber is observed to
be more than the polymer composite with hemp mat.

Bending strength of the polymer composite with hemp mat is observed to be more
than the polymer composite with hemp long fiber.

With the above observations we can conclude that the polymer composite material
with long fiber may be used as alternative material for the biomedical applications.

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Fibres and Mat) For Patellar Implant Application
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