Effects of stacking sequence of pineapple leaf-flax reinforced hybrid composite laminates on mechanical characterization and moisture resistant properties

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the effects of stacking sequence on physical, mechanical and moisture resistant properties of pineapple leaf fiber (PF) and flax fiber (FF) reinforced composite laminates. The non-hybrid and hybrid composite laminates are fabricated by using vacuum assisted resin infusion molding process (VARIM) with an inter-ply configuration. From the results, the maximum tensile strength (219.3 MPa), flexural strength (132.4 MPa), shear strength (39.1 MPa) and impact energy (50.2 J) have been recorded for FFRP composites while the minimum for PFRP (124.7 MPa, 52.3 MPa, 4.3 MPa, and 23.3 J) respectively. For hybrid composite laminates, the increase in volume fraction of flax fiber, improved the mechanical and moisture resistant properties while an increase in the volume fraction of PALF enhanced the elongation and flexibility of the developed composites. Furthermore, it observed that, stacking sequence configuration of flax fibers as outer layer exhibited better tensile, flexural, impact and moisture properties while flax fibers at inner layer examined maximum shear properties. Therefore, among hybrid composites, H7 recorded maximum tensile strength, flexural strength and impact energy (207.7 MPa, 121.7 MPa and 48.8 J) while H5 recorded maximum shear strength (24.2 MPa). The water absorption and chemical resistant behaviour of fabricated laminates with five different combinations of solution (distilled water, seawater, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid and sodium carbonate) are examined and revealed that hybrid composite laminates have better resistance to water and chemical uptake. The morphology and fracture analysis of composite laminates are analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Overall, the developed hybrid composite laminates have lighter weight, economical and better interfacial bonding with improved mechanical and moisture properties for distinct load-bearing applications.

Effects of graphene nanoparticles with organic wood particles: A synergistic effect on the structural, physical, thermal, and mechanical behavior of hybrid composites

“…This has happened because a higher % of GNPs have an inherent propensity to agglomerate and form clustered due to strong π–π interactions ensuing from the large surface area of graphene 22 . Therefore, these defects in the developed composite produced high‐stress concentrations that caused localized weakness, larger cracks, and debonding between particles and epoxy and reduced their thermo‐mechanical properties 13,18,34 . Finally, the developed hybrid composite analyzed sudden brittle fracture due to the high stiffness and rigid structure of the particles and polymeric chain.…”

“…Density measurements are an important step toward proving the specific properties of developed composites. 34 The density of the composites has been measured theoretically by using the rule of the mixture and experimentally by using the following Archimedes' principle as per ASTM D-2734-70 standard. 35 Void contents of the composites have a very critical issue that significantly reduces the performances of developed composites.…”

Potentiality of Utilizing Woven Pineapple Leaf Fibre for Polymer Composites

“…This means that the alteration of the woven fibre arrangement affected the flexural properties and also shows that an increase in the number of layers of reinforcement is very significant in studying flexural properties [19]. Meanwhile, the flexural modulus was discovered to increase with an increase in the layering number but dropped when it reached a critical limit of 6L due to the failure of the fibre matrix and delamination [6]. It was also observed that the value of flexural strength and flexural modulus decreased by 26% and 11% from 3L to 4L.…”

“…Several studies have published findings on the parameters determining the physical and mechanical properties of natural fibre woven composites. Previous studies have also investigated the factors influencing the mechanical performance of these composites and reported the strong effect of different factors such as the woven structure, layering sequences, fibre orientation and type of polymers used [4][5][6]. Therefore, this study is focused on comprehensively discussing the potential factors of composites affecting the mechanical properties of the woven composite based on a previous study.…”

Influence of stacking sequence on mechanical properties and moisture absorption of epoxy-based woven flax and basalt fabric hybrid composites

“…Many studies have reported on flax 000016-3 fiber-reinforced composites. For instance, it has been used as co-reinforcement in carbon and flax fabric reinforced hybrid composites [28], pineapple leaf-flax reinforced hybrid composite [29], as reinforcement in polyamide 11 resin [30], and Flax/Jute epoxy-based composites [11]. The effect of stacking sequence and hybridization on the properties of the hybrid composite material has only been assessed in a limited amount of studies involving flax fibers and basalt fibers.…”