Effect of rice husk on the mechanical characteristics of abaca/jute hybrid composites

Abstract

Natural fiber‐reinforced composites play a vital role in all areas due to their significant material properties. In this investigation, abaca/ jute fiber reinforced with rice husk filler hybrid composites have been prepared through a compression moulding process. Three different compositions of laminates were prepared with weight percentages of rice husk filler such as 1 wt. %, 2 wt. %, and 3 wt. %. Further, the mechanical properties of the prepared hybrid composite have been investigated as per the ASTM standards. Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy analysis has also been carried out to study the organic groups formed in the prepared hybrid composites. The tensile morphology of the material has also been carried out using scanning electron microscopy, to study the bonding of the fiber and the hybrid matrix. The analysis revealed that the mechanical properties of the hybrid composite were improved by the inclusion of rice husk as a filler. From the tensile morphology, the addition of rice husk increases the surface area of the matrix material, which results in an improvement in the bonding between the matrix and the reinforcement.