Development and Mechanical Characterization of Natural-Artificial Fiber Hybrid Composite

Abstract

Nowadays, traditional materials are being replaced by composite materials due to their better properties like high strength in tension as well as in flexure, lower thermal expansion, higher strength to weight ratio compared to conventional materials etc. These new materials are now being developed day by day which are eco-friendly, economic and efficient. Natural fiber composites made from fibers like Sisal, Jute, and Coir have become more attractive because of their high specific strength, low density and an ability to degrade naturally. Also, advantages of Glass-Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) such as high strength, flexibility, lower cost etc. are resulting in increased applications. Combining the natural and artificial fibers for making hybrid composites can elevate the properties of the composite materials. In this research, we developed coir-glass fiber reinforced hybrid composites with two different stacking sequences. Typically various properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strength and their modulus are evaluated for the exhaustive characterization. Further the SEM of broken samples is done to identify the defects in manufacturing of composite. The fiber and matrix possess better mechanical properties which could be beneficial for developing new options as an exterior material for components as well as the outside casing and housing for particular equipment in various industries. The results showed that due to integration of Coir and glass fiber as a hybrid reinforced composite have elevated mechanical properties as compared to pure coir composite.