Mechanical Behaviour of Natural Fibre Reinforced Composite

Abstract

The world eagerly seeks innovative materials to address issues in current products, such as non-biodegradability, environmental pollution, carbon emissions, the greenhouse effect, disposal challenges, cost, weight, and manufacturing complexity. This study entails the fabrication of a natural fiber (NF) hybrid composite, utilizing Sisal and Roselle natural fibers as reinforcing agents, in conjunction with epoxy resin (LAPOX L12) and Hardener or catalyst (K6), with a predetermined ratio of 35:75, employing a hand lay-up method. The mechanical and physical performance of loose and Continuous Fiber Reinforcement (CLFR) and woven mat fiber reinforced (WMFR) hybrid composite laminates were systematically assessed to gauge their efficacy. Concurrently, the mechanical performance of the composites subjected to a 20-day aging process in distilled water was examined and compared with the performance of composites tested in a dry state. Findings reveal that tensile, flexural, compressive and impact properties of the composite in a dry condition surpass those of wet samples, while the impact strength demonstrates an increase post-water absorption. This comprehensive analysis contributes valuable insights into the potential engineering applications of these NF-based hybrid composites as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fiber composites and plastic products.