A Comparative Study of Sandwich and Hybrid Sandwich Composites using Jute and Kevlar Fibers

Abstract

The use of sandwich composites has increased day by day in the structural applications due to high strength to weight ratio, high environmental resistance with good thermal insulation properties. Natural fiber, jute is biodegradable and eco-friendly in nature due to which these fibers are considered as an alternative to conventional materials. In this study jute and Kevlar fibers were used as reinforcement in epoxy matrix. The two different layers of composites using jute and Kevlar fibers with epoxy resin are prepared with a size of 300 X 300 X 1mm using hand layup process. The paper board honeycomb structure with a size of 300 X 300 X 12mm was placed in between layers of composites. In the first case, jute fibers were used to fabricate the two layers above and below the honeycomb structure to make sandwich composite. In the second case, combination of jute and Kevlar fibers were used to fabricate the two layers above and below the honeycomb structure to make the hybrid sandwich composite. The fabricated composites were tested for their mechanical properties like tensile, compressive, flexural, and impact strength. Results reveal that hybrid sandwich composites have superior tensile, impact and flexural strength compared to sandwich composites. The compressive strength remained unaltered in both the cases.