Effect of stacking sequence on dynamic mechanical properties of Indian almond – Kenaf fiber reinforced hybrid composites

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this investigation, the dynamic mechanical properties of Indian almond – Kenaf fiber composite were investigated and the effect of stacking sequence was analyzed. Four types of composites viz. kenaf, Kenaf/Indian almond/Kenaf, Indian almond/Kenaf/Indian almond, and Indian almond were fabricated by hand layup technique. The experimental results revealed that the kenaf fiber composite showed the superior storage modulus and loss modulus values compared to all other composites due to the high stiffness of kenaf fiber and better bonding between the matrix and fiber. Among hybrid composites, Kenaf/Indian almond/Kenaf composite displayed a greater storage modulus and loss modulus than Indian almond/Kenaf/Indian almond composite due to the presence of two layers of high stiffness kenaf fiber. Further, the order of thermal stability of the composites was observed as: Kenaf > Kenaf/Indian almond/Kenaf > Indian almond/Kenaf/Indian almond > Indian almond. In addition, the Indian almond fiber composite and Indian almond/Kenaf/Indian almond composite exhibited good damping properties than other composites owing to the more mobility of polymer chain. Cole – cole plot showed that the structure of all the fabricated composites was heterogeneous in nature and kenaf fiber composite displayed the higher heterogeneity among all other materials. Moreover, the modeling of storage modulus and damping factor was performed and compared with the experimental results. The results showed good agreement with the theoretical and experimental values.