Development of Bamboo Based Nylon 66 Composite through Friction Stir Processing-An Attempt

The concept of developing a bamboo-based Nylon 66 polymer matrix composite is a relatively novel and very new technical attempt through friction stir processing (FSP). This innovative approach can create a composite material that strengthen the mechanical properties of bamboo and the versatility of Nylon 66. However, successful implementation requires careful consideration of FSP process parameters such us tool rpm, traverse speed, tilt angle and tool design. Among the processing parameters, the tool rpm shows the significant role for severe plastic deformation and temperature generation which leads to the achieving excellent bond. Therefore, in this present study attempt has made to develop the polymer matrix composite (nylon 66 and bamboo powder) using FSW process at a variant rotational speed of 300,400 and 500 rpm with the constant traverse speed of 25 mm min -1 . The deformation behavior and the peak temperature evolved under the tool shoulder during the stirring motion is studied using COMSOL Multiphysics simulation. It is found that, the specimen processed with higher rpm (500rpm) shows the higher volumetric strain and the peak temperature and it is evident that with increasing rpm the higher amount of severe plastic deformation occurred. Initially the process parameters are optimized without bamboo powder on the nylon 66 plate of 6 mm thickness and found that the 500 rpm processed specimen shows the defect free. Prior to the actual FSP, the small keyways taken on the center of the nylon 66 plate in order to add the bamboo powders in it. Actual processing was done with bamboo powder after adding natural bamboo powder of size 50µm. The result reveals that, the bamboo powder has partially expelled out during the period of FSP. This complete study concedes that the processing parameters needs to be optimized and also bamboo added method need to be studied for the successful development of bamboo-based polymer matrix composite.