Exploring the impact of hybridization on green composites: pineapple leaf and sisal fiber reinforcement using poly(furfuryl alcohol) bioresin

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to examine the mechanical and physical characteristics of hybrid composite prepared using bio-epoxy reinforced with natural fibers extracted from pineapple leaf (PLF) and sisal (SF). The hand lay-up technique was utilized to fabricate the hybridized composite from bi-directional pineapple leaf fiber and sisal fibers using various stacking sequences. In order to understand the impact of hybridization on these composites, physical properties including density, percentage volume of fiber (PVF), and water absorption capacity were ascertained for hybrid composite. In addition, the mechanical characteristics like the tensile, fracture toughness, flexural, and interlaminar shear (ILSS) tests were investigated. Poly(furfuryl alcohol) was prepared and used as bioresin and it was apparent that the addition of more PLF in terms of PVF into hybridized composites, the properties flexural, tensile, and ILSS of the bio-epoxy composites were notably improved. The mechanical properties of hybridized composites were markedly impacted by the stacking order. Inference revealed that the composite attained the maximal tensile strength of 70.8 MPa for alternative sequence of SF and PLF. The composite which contained SF on the outside, had outperformed compared to other hybrid composites in terms of fracture toughness (3302.3 J/m2) and interlaminar shear strength (16.1 MPa).