Assignment 10

Composites

 

Introduction

A composite is a material made from two or more different materials that, when combined, are stronger than those individual materials by themselves. Simply put, composites are a combination of components.

IN this assignment I and Amit learned about composites and how differenr materials wih different materials with different individual properties be bonded together using a mixture of resin and hardner to make a stronger material with its own set of properties. We worked on making a composite out of jute cloth and the material used in the normal cloth bags and made a mousepad for our daily usage.

Some really interesting products can be created using this process. 

Material required

Prerequisites

• Cloth like materials (Jute sheets, cotton sheets)
• Newspaper
• Gloves
• Epoxy Resin
• Hardener
• Weighing Scale
• Bowl (for mixing)
• Spatula (for mixing)
• Wood sheets
• Cling wrap

The Process

The process

• Wrap two wood sheets completely with cling wrap for using on top and base of the composite mix.
• Mix epoxy resin and Hardener in the ratio 2:1 in a bowl.
• 50g of hardener was used for 100g of resin. After pouring the resin and hardener, it is stirred for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes warm (exothermic reaction) and more viscous.
• 50g of hardener was used for 100g of resin. After pouring the resin and hardener, it is stirred for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes warm (exothermic reaction) and more viscous.
• On top of the wood sheet, each layer of jute sheet, white sack piece and newspaper are placed alternatively with the mixture applied on it.
• 7 layers of materials (jute sheet + white sack piece ) are placed. Newspaper is placed in between the layers to ensure proper spreading of the epoxy mixture.
• Finally the wood sheet is placed on top the last layer and weight is applied on top for equal transfer.
• Excess eposxy is poured back to the container by tilting.
• We used a heavy bench vice to add weight on the composite.
• This arrangement is kept for 24 - 48 hours to set.
• The final outcome was laser cut to make a mouse pad.




Images of the Process and the final product

The final mouse pad!