Development of snake grass fiber-reinforced polymer composite chair. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sathishkumar, TP
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Volume 230:Number 1(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 273
• Page End: 281
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Composite chair -- SAL wood -- mechanical properties -- water absorption; Materials -- Periodicals; Engineering design -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1177/1464420715569291
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-4207

Abstract

The natural fiber-reinforced composites have been widely used in many applications and emerging as a replacement for wood materials. The wood is a main component for making chairs, tables, and various furniture elements. The snake grass fiber-reinforced polymer composites chair is fabricated and is used to replace the usage of wood chair for commercial application. The mechanical properties such as flexural and compressive and the water absorption at various time periods have been analyzed. These properties are compared with SAL wood and the inferences are discussed. The preparation and material cost of the composites are compared with SAL wood chair. The composite chair have higher mechanical properties and lower cost for fabrication compared to SAL wood chair. The total weight of composites chair is lower than wood. Hence, snake grass fiber-reinforced polymer composites might replace SAL wood and other wood chairs and save trees, which in turn helps in reducing global warming.