The Effect of Customized Woven and Stacked Layer Orientation on Tensile and Flexural Properties of Woven Kenaf Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Abstract

The synthetic fibres have created some issues including risk of inhalation during fabrication process, renewability, biodegradability, and recyclability in composites industry. The usage of biocomposites as a replacement to synthetic fibres is beginning to be widespread. However, it is noted that lesser attention has been devoted to evaluating the mechanical properties of woven kenaf composites at various woven and stacked layer orientation. Thus, the research objective is to identify the effect of woven and stacked layer orientation on tensile and flexural properties of kenaf composites. Two types of fibre orientation are employed; type A contains a higher yarn density and type B contains a low yarn density. The tensile and flexural tests are conducted to analyze the mechanical properties of woven kenaf fibre composites and compare them to random chopped kenaf composites. The fracture interface between fibre and matrix epoxy is further investigated via scanning electron microscope. Type A kenaf improved up to 199% and 177% as compared to random chopped kenaf for flexural strength and tensile strength, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy analysis shows that resin matrix is properly induced into kenaf fibre gap hence giving additional strength to woven kenaf as compared to random chopped kenaf.

Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of a Sandwich Structure Made of Flax/Glass Hybrid Composite Facesheet and Honeycomb Core

“…The Epoxa-mite® 100 epoxy resin with slow hardener 103 was used as a matrix. The specifications of this epoxy resin are reported in the literature [19]. The aluminium honeycomb 5052 grade was used as the core material with cell size (distance between two opposite cell walls) and thickness of 3.2 mm and 8 mm, respectively.…”

The challenges of natural fiber in manufacturing, material selection, and technology application: A review

“…Natural fibers are very useful in the packaging industry as well, for the preparation of hygienic and nontoxic products. 30 Kenaf fiber is a very competitive fiber if compared with other natural fibers, since it has a short farm sequence, is less prone to environmental conditions, and requires comparatively low amounts of insecticides and herbicides. The mechanical strength and thermal properties of kenaf fiber based composites are better in comparison to other natural fiber composites are shown in Table 6.…”

“…Different chemical arrangements of the natural fibers can cause variable flammability characteristics. 30 Natural fibers with high cellulose content have a higher flammability capacity than those fibers, which have less cellulose and a high hemicellulose content. The surface morphology is normally improved with higher lignin content.…”

Influence of Stacking Sequences on Tensile Behaviour of Areca-Kenaf Hybrid Epoxy Composite

“…In recent decades, the awareness towards sustainable product design made the composite industries to replace the synthetic fiber with natural fiber based material for automotive structural and semi-structural applications [1] Natural fibers are of low cost, have good mechanical properties and require less power for production [2].Among the available natural fibers Kenaf is one of the important plant that is cultivated around the world next to cotton. Kenaf fiber has comparatively good mechanical properties than glass fiber due to their low density [3].Few car parts like bumper beams, dashboards are replaced with Kenaf fiber [4]. It is used along with synthetic polymers in wall-boards, ceilings, furniture and interior lining, in automobiles [5].Similarly, areca fiber which is light weight, eco-friendly in nature also has good thermal and acoustic properties.…”