Experimental studies on water absorption and mechanical properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) and Urena lobata (Caesar weed) plant Fiber–Reinforced hybrid epoxy composites: effect of weight fraction of nano-graphene fillers

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to develop novel hybrid composites with graphene (Gr) fillers incorporated in the epoxy (E) matrix with Caesar weed fiber (CF), and roselle fiber (RF) as reinforcements. Compression molding methods were used to fabricate hybrid composite materials with a variable-weight graphene filler in a constant fiber epoxy matrix. On the basis of the results, the mechanical characteristics of the composite with 6 wt% Gr exhibited the greatest flexural strength, tensile strength, and impact strength. This occurred because 6 wt% Gr particles are more uniformly dispersed in an epoxy matrix, resulting in better compatibility between reinforcementand matrix, thus increasing the mechanical properties. The composite with 8 wt% Gr filler reinforcement had the maximum hardness rating and the lowest percentage of water absorption. According to the results, adding graphene fillers to the CF/RF/E composite significantly improved the mechanical and water absorption performances. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the surfaces of the fabricated samples. The weight fraction of the graphene filler was optimized to enhance the mechanical properties of the composite for use in various engineering applications, such as automobile, defense, marine, sports, and musical instruments.