Mechanical and Thermal Characterization of Natural Intralaminar Hybrid Composites Based on Sisal

Abstract

The main objective of this work was to investigate the effect of hybridization on the mechanical and thermal properties of intralaminar natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composites based on sisal. Ramie, sisal and curauá fibers were selected as natural fiber reinforcements for the epoxy matrix based composites, which were produced by the hand lay-up technique. Tensile, flexural and impact tests were carried out according to American society for testing and materials (ASTM) standards to characterize the hybrid composites, while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to evaluate the thermal properties. It was found that the mechanical properties are improved by hybridization of sisal based composites. The thermal analysis showed that the hybridization did not significantly affect the thermal stability of the composites. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the fracture surface of the tested specimens. The SEM images showed a brittle fracture of the matrix and fiber breakage near the matrix.

Effect of intralaminar hybridization on mode I fracture toughness of natural fiber-reinforced composites

“…The results are in agreement with results from the literature [27,28,30], where the hybridization of nonhybrid composites also provided an improvement in the G Ic . It was shown in the literature that the type of fiber (natural or synthetic), polymer matrix, stacking sequence and number of layers have significant influences on the mechanical properties (e.g., tensile and flexural strength, impact energy and fracture toughness) of hybrid composites [15,17,24,27,28,30].…”

“…There are different methods to improve the mechanical properties of NFRCs, such as surface modification, blending, compatibilization, addition of nanoparticles and hybridization (i.e., combination of two or more different types of natural or synthetic fibers in one matrix) [14]. The effects of hybridization on the mechanical properties of NFRCs were studied in the literature [15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. For instance, Cavalcanti et al [15] investigated the effect of hybridization and fibers treatment on the mechanical properties of intralaminar hybrid epoxy composites based on jute.…”

“…Braga and Magalhães [16] studied the effect of hybridization on jute and glass fibers-reinforced composites and showed that hybridization had a positive effect on the mechanical properties of the composites. More recently, Pereira et al [17] studied the mechanical and thermal properties of intralaminar hybrid epoxy composites based on sisal fabric. The woven sisal fabrics were reinforced with ramie, curauá and glass fibers.…”

Adhesively bonded joints of jute, glass and hybrid jute/glass fibre-reinforced polymer composites for automotive industry

“…variable fibre quality and humidity absorption due to a more hydrophilic fibre nature, leading to low fibre/ matrix interfacial strength) [8][9][10]. One of the methods used in the literature to surpass these shortcomings is the hybridization technique, which consists of the application of two or more reinforcement materials in a single matrix [11][12][13]. Natural reinforcements are beneficial due to the aforementioned eco-friendliness, lower weight and cost, while synthetic reinforcements such as glass, have higher strength, lower water absorption and increased fibre/matrix interfacial strength [14].…”

“…On the other hand, the stiffness of jute fibres is nearly 80% that of glass fibres [17] and cost (the cost per weight of jute may achieve 1/9 that of glass fibres). Several studies for the mechanical, thermal and impact characterization of jute fibres and their composites are available in the literature [11][12][13]18].…”