Cold-pressed Kenaf and Fibreglass Hybrid Composites Laminates: Effect of Fibre Types

Authors: Z. Salleh, M. N. Berhan, Koay Mei Hyie, D. H. Isaac

Abstract:

Natural fibres have emerged as the potential reinforcement material for composites and thus gain attraction by many researchers. This is mainly due to their applicable benefits as they offer low density, low cost, renewable, biodegradability and environmentally harmless and also comparable mechanical properties with synthetic fibre composites. The properties of hybrid composites highly depends on several factors, including the interaction of fillers with the polymeric matrix, shape and size (aspect ratio), and orientation of fillers [1]. In this study, natural fibre kenaf composites and kenaf/fibreglass hybrid composites were fabricated by a combination of hand lay-up method and cold-press method. The effect of different fibre types (powder, short and long) on the tensile properties of composites is investigated. The kenaf composites with and without the addition of fibreglass were then characterized by tensile testing and scanning electron microscopy. A significant improvement in tensile strength and modulus were indicated by the introduction of long kenaf/woven fibreglass hybrid composite. However, the opposite trends are observed in kenaf powder composite. Fractographic observation shows that fibre/matrix debonding causes the fibres pull out. This phenomenon results in the fibre and matrix fracture.

Keywords: Kenaf, Fibreglass, Hybrid Composite, Tensile Strength, Tensile Modulus.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1085790

References:

[1] S.-Y. Fu et al., "Hybrid effects on tensile properties of hybrid shortglass- fibreand short-carbon-fibrereinforced polypropylene composites," Journal of Materials Science, vol. 36, pp. 1243-1251, 2001.
[2] D. Nabi Saheb and J. B. Jog, "Natural fibre polymer composites: a review," Advances in Polymer Technology, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 351-365, 1999.
[3] X. Li, L. G. Tabil, S. Panigrahi, and W. J. Crerar, "The influence of fibre content on properties of injection molded flax fibre-HDPE biocomposites," Can Biosyst Eng, vol. 8, no. 148, pp. 1-10, 2009.
[4] R. Malkapuram, V. Kumar, and S. N. Yuv, "Recent development in natural fibre reinforced polypropylene composites," J Reinf Plast Compos, vol. 28, pp. 1169-89, 2008.
[5] J. Mirbagheri, M. T ajvidi, J. C. Hermanson, and I Ghasem, "Tensile properties of wood flour/kenaf fibre Polypropylene hybrid composites," Journal of Applied Polymer Science, vol. 105, pp. 3054-3059, 2007.
[6] T. Chou, "Microstructural design of fibre composites," in Cambridge solid state science series: Cambridge University Press, 1992.
[7] P. N.B. Reis, J. A.M. Ferreira, F. V. Antunes, and J. D.M. Costa, "Flexural behaviour of hybrid laminated composites" Composites: Part A, vol. 38, pp. 1612-1620, 2007.
[8] S. Panthapulakkal and M. Sain, "Studies on water absorption properties of short-hemp glass fibre hybrid polypropylene composites" Journal of Composite Materials, vol. 41, no. 15, pp. 1871-1883, 2007.
[9] H. P.S. Abdul-Khalil, S. Hanida, and C. W. Kang, "Agro-hybrid composite: the effects on mechanical and physical properties of oil palm fibre/glass hybrid reinforced polyester composites" Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, vol. 26, pp. 203-218, 2007.
[10] A. B.A. Hariharan and H. P.S. Abdul-Khalil, "Lignocellulose based hybrid bilayer laminate composite: part1: studies on tensile and impact behaviour of oil palm fibre/glass fibre reinforced epoxy resin" Journal of Composite Materials, vol. 39, no. 8, pp. 663-684, 2004.
[11] K. John and S. V. Naidu, "Sisal fibre/glass fibre hybrid composites: the impact and compressive properties" Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, vol. 23, pp. 1253-1258, 2004.