Analysis of Mechanical and Wettability Properties of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites

Abstract

Natural fibers have many advantages over synthetic fibers due to their lightness, low cost, biodegradability, and abundance in nature. The demand for natural fiber hybrid composites in various applications has increased recently, because of its promising mechanical properties. In this research work, the mechanical and wettability properties of reinforced natural fiber epoxy resin hybrid composites were investigated. The main aim of this research work is the fabrication of hybrid composites and exploit its importance over individual fiber composites. The composites were fabricated based on the rule of hybridization mixture (0.4 wf) of two fibers using sets of either hemp and flax or banana and pineapple, each set with 40 wt%, as well as four single fiber composites, 40 wt% each, as reinforcement and epoxy resin as matrix material. A total of two sets (hemp/flax and banana/pineapple) of hybrid composites were fabricated by using a hand layup technique. One set as 40H/0F, 25H/15F, 20H/20F, 15H/25F, 0H/40F, and the second one as 40B/0P, 25B/15P, 20B/20P, 15B/25P, 0B/40P weight fraction ratios. The fabricated composites were allowed for testing to examine its mechanical, wettability, and moisture properties. It has been observed that, in both cases, hybrid composites showed improved mechanical properties when compared to the individual fiber composites. The wettability test was carried out by using the contact angle measurement technique. All composites in both cases, hybrid or single showed contact angle less than 90°, which is associated with the composite hydrophilic surface properties. The moisture analysis stated that all the composites responded for moisture absorption up to 96 h and then remained constant in both cases. Hybrid composites absorbed less moisture than individual fiber composites.

Development and Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Caryota and Sisal Natural Fibers Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites

“…Previous research was concentrated on the fabrication of banana, pineapple, hemp, flax, and sisal fibers-based hybrid composites for lightweight and biomedical applications [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. The present research was concentrated on developing the hybrid composites with Caryota (derived from fishtail palm plants) and sisal fiber-based hybrid composites with varying weight fractions.…”

Synthesis and Thermo-Mechanical Study of Epoxy Resin-Based Composites with Waste Fibers of Hemp as an Eco-Friendly Filler

“…As follows from the moisture analysis, all materials absorbed water and nature of their surface was hydrophilic. Based on the overall measurement results, the researchers proved that the hybrid composites were characterized by the improved properties compared to those of the pristine composites and that hemp and flax fibers could be a potential replacement for reinforcements in the composites [ 27 ].…”

Biocomposites Developed with Litchi Peel Based on Epoxy Resin: Mechanical Properties and Flame Retardant

“…e results of the work show that hemp and flax fibers are a potential alternative to reinforcements in composites. Hemp and flax fibers can be used for structural applications [12]. Rajeshkumar et al studied improving the mechanical properties of epoxy resins reinforced with natural fibers (Phoenix sp.).…”