Effect of Natural Fiber Loading on Mechanical Properties and Thermal Characteristics of Hybrid Polyester Composites for Industrial and Construction Fields

Abstract

In the present work tensile, flexural, impact and hardness properties of sorghum bicolor, sisal fiber and jute reinforced with polyester composites are described for the first time. The hybrid composite plates are fabricated for different fiber weights by hand lay-up method. To investigate the mechanical attributes tensile, flexural, impact and hardness tests were performed as per ASTM standard. The mechanical test results revealed a regular trend of an increase in tensile, flexural, impact and hardness properties to adding natural fibers. Good adhesion between the natural fibers and the polyester matrix is also responsible for the effective resistance capability. Further, thermal stability and thermal decomposition of the composite material observed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The work concludes that sisal, jute, and sorghum bicolor fiber have high potential as reinforcement for composite production. This type of composite material can be useful for automobiles, industrial applications and construction fields.