ABSTRACT

This project investigates the influence of nanofiber reinforcement on the thermos mechanical
behavior of glass fiber reinforced Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) composites. PPS is a high-
performance thermoplastic known for its excellent thermal stability, chemical resistance, and
mechanical strength. Glass fibers are commonly used to enhance its structural rigidity, but
interfacial adhesion and load transfer efficiency can be further improved by introducing
nanoscale reinforcements such as carbon nanofibers. The study focuses on fabricating hybrid
composites through extrusion and compression molding processes, followed by evaluation of
tensile, flexural, and thermal properties.

The results highlight the role of nanofibers in improving stiffness, impact resistance, and thermal
performance due to enhanced interfacial bonding and uniform stress distribution within the
matrix. The use of polymer composite has been implemented since 3400 B.C, the very first
known composite’s application is attributed to the Mesopotamians. These ancient people
fabricated plywood with glued wood strips placed at various distinct angles and in the late 1930s
glass fiber thin strands have been developed. Glass fiber polymer composites have a wide scope
in various engineering structures submarines, spacecraft, airplanes, automobiles, sports, and many
more, over traditional materials because of their superior properties including lightweight, high
fracture toughness, corrosion, fatigue, wear & fire resistance, high strength to weight ratio, high
modulus and low coefficient of expansion. Various technologies have been developed so far to
create different types of polymer composites in accordance with their properties and applications.
Glass fiber possesses better properties such as great strength, better flexibility, stiffness, and
chemical corrosion resistance. Glass fibers are generally in the form of cut-up strands, fabrics,
and mats. Every kind of glass fiber has different properties and has various applications as in
polymer composites. The aim of this review paper is to provide updated technological insights
regarding the evolution of composite, classification of glass fiber polymer composites,
development methodology in contrast with various applications, advantages and limitations and
their behavioral properties.

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 CONTENTS

Abstract

Contents iii

List of figures

List of Tables

Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1

Polymers 1
1.1.1 Classification of polymers 1
1.2 Composites 2
1.2.1. Classification of composites 2-5
1.3 Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) 5
1.3.1. Applications of fiber reinforced composites 5 1.3.2 Advantages
of PMCs 6 1.3.3 Disadvantages of PMCs
7
1.4 Objectives 7

Chapter 2. Literature survey 8-9

Chapter 3. Materials and methods

3.1 Matrix materials 10

3.1.1 Choosing PPS as the matrix 10
3.2 Reinforcement material 11
3.2.1 Carbon nanofiber 11-12 3.2.2 Glass
fiber 12

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3.3 Design
3.3.1 Tensile test specimen 13-14
3.4 Preparation of composites and specimen 14
3.5 Calculation for percentage of composition 15-16
3.6 Preparation of composite pellets 16-17
3.7 Preparation of composite specimen 17-18

Chapter 4. Mechanical characteristics

4.1 Tensile strength 19-20

4.2 Tensile test 20-22

Chapter 5. Results
5.1 Tensile strength 23-25

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 LIST OF FIGURES

SL DESCRIPTION FIG NO PAGE

NO NO
1 Pictorial representation of composite formation 1.1 2

2 Classification of composites based on matrix material 1.2 3

3 Nature of reinforcement 1.3 4

4 Applications of Fiber reinforced composites. 1.4 6

5 Material Selection 3.1 13

6 PPS pellets 3.2 15

7 Carbon Nanofibers 3.3 16

8 Glass fibers 3.4 17

9 Stabilizer 3.5 18

10 Polymerization mechanism of diphenyl disulfide 3.6 21

11 Dimensions of Tensile test specimen under ASTM D638 3.7 25

12 ASTM D790 test specimen depicting three-point bending 3.8 26

test
13 3 Body abrasive test specimen (ASTM G65) 3.9 27

14 Methodology of test specimen production 3.10 28

15 Schematic diagram of Twin Screw Extrude 3.11 30

16 Injection molding machine 3.12 31

17 Tensile test specimen nomenclature 4.1 34

18 Test Specimen of tensile test 4.2 35

19 Flexural test specimen nomenclature (ASTM D790) 4.3 36

20 Test Specimen of Flexural test 4.4 37

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21 Specimen of Shore D Hardness test 4.5 38

22 Test Specimen Three Body Abrasive Wear 4.6 40

23 Tensile testing machine setup 5.1 41

24 Test Specimen After Tensile Failure 5.2 42

25 Flexural testing machine setup 5.3 43

26 Test Specimen After Flexural Failure 5.4 44

27 Shore D Hardness Testing Device setup 5.5 45

28 Dry Sand Abrasion Wear Testing Machine setup 5.6 46

29 Test Specimen After wear 5.7 47

30 Variation of tensile strength with CNF content 6.1 50

31 Variation of Flexural Strength with CNF content 6.2 51

32 Variation of Shore D Hardness with CNF content 6.3 53

LIST OF TABLES

SL DESCRIPTION TAB NO PAGE

NO NO

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1 Material Data 3.1 14

2 Calculation for percentage of composition 3.2 30

3 Results of Tensile test with variation of CNF content 6.1 48

4 Results of Tensile test with variation of CNF content (3 6.2 49

trails)
5 Results of flexural test with variation of CNF content 6.3 51

6 Results of Shore ‘D’ hardness test with variation of 6.4 52

CNF content
7 Results of Three Body Abrasive wear test with 6.5 54
variation of CNF content

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