Fabrication of Composites Made from Kenaf Fiber and Biodegradable Resin by a Hot Press and the Flexural Properties

Abstract

The composite made from kenaf fiber and biodegradable resin was fabricated by a hot-press forming. The effects of fiber volume fraction and fiber length on flexural properties were investigated. The experimental results were compared to the numerical calculation based on Cox's model. The flexural modulus increased with increase of volume fraction of fiber and showed the maximum value of 3 991 MPa at 62%. In the high volume fraction, the flexural modulus made a good agreement with the predicted value. On the contrary, in the low volume fraction, the value of flexural modulus was higher than the predicted. This higher flexural modulus was due to the fiber segregation which was observed in the vicinity of the surface. Similar results were found on flexural strength. Furthermore, the decrease of flexural modulus was shown below the fiber length 2.5 mm. This trend was clearly predicted by the model.