Abstract In this study, the utilization of neem gum powder and snake grass fiber, gathered from snake grass plants is discussed. The fibers are produced in various volume percentages of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35% and their mechanical characteristics such as tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and critical stress intensity are investigated. The combination of 30% snake grass fiber, 15% neem gum powder and 55% epoxy resin, in terms of volume, contributes towards the attaining of better mechanical properties. The tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and critical stress intensity of this blend are respectively 36.497±0.429 MPa, 65.87±1.85 MPa, 2682.67±1.866 J/m2 and 42.291±2.61 Pa mm-1/2. The mechanical properties improve with the addition of the fiber. However, as more fiber is added, the adhesion at the interface gets reduced. The automotive and aerospace sectors can use this composite material, which enhances the mechanical characteristics for interior applications.

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of moringa and nano ash filler particles on mechanical, chemical corrosion and moisture absorption of basalt fiber/epoxy composites. Epoxy resin and Araldite HY951 hardener was used as matrix along with the inclusion of filler particles while the bi-directional woven basalt fiber mat was used as the reinforcement in fabricating composites using hand layup technique. Three different composites i.e. Plain BF + matrix with no filler particles, BF + matrix with 10 wt, % moringa ash and BF + matrix with 10 wt, % bagasse ash were fabricated and tested according to the ASTM standards to determine the mechanical properties and chemical corrosion resistance. According to the experimental test results, the composites with moringa ash inclusion showed better properties than the bagasse ash inclusion and with no filler added composites.

In this study, an effort has been made to choose an appropriate tool pin profile and rotational speed for a tool using a submerged friction stir processed hot rolled AZ31B magnesium alloy. A defect free process region was obtained using a novel tool shoulder, which consisted of a scroll. Three tool pin profiles, namely, simple cylindrical, stepped cylindrical and stepped square pin have been used. Tensile properties and fracture behavior revealed defect free friction stir processed specimens. The microstructural studies reveal the possibility of producing a defect free processed region using the stepped square pin tool geometry. The presence of fine recrystallized grains (1.99 µm) and the absence of defects in the processed region lead to higher hardness and superior tensile properties.

The aim of this paper is to determine the feasibility of submerged friction stir welding of 6061-T6 aluminium alloy on different water heads through macrostructuralanalysis.In this work, aluminium 6061-T6 alloy was friction stir welded under normal and submerged conditions at different rotational speeds of 400 rpm, 800 rpm, 1200 rpm, 1600 rpm. The water head was varied from 10 to 30 mm in the case of thesubmerged friction stir welding process. In both normal and submerged friction stir welding processes, a welding speed of 45 mm/min, a normal load of 30 kN, tool tilt angle of 2˚, depth of tool penetration and tool geometry were kept constant. Torque is measured during the welding process, and power (kW) is calculated after the welding process. The macrostructural analysis was carried out for locating defect formation and identifying the feasible working range of process parameters of the welded aluminium 6061-T6 alloy. The mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength and microhardness of submerged friction stir welded of 6061 aluminium alloys were investigated.Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) metallography was used for comparing the microstructure of the parent material, friction stir welded and submerged stir welded samples.