Impact and Flexural Properties of Imbalance Plain Woven Coir and Kenaf Composite

Abstract

Natural fibre has become the subject of interest for research and development by various organizations due to its biodegradable and competitive mechanical properties. However most of the researchers are focusing on random orientation and compressed mat with only little researches concerned with woven or textile structure. This research work involved with mechanical analysis of woven natural fibres composite specifically coir and kenaf natural fibres. Plain woven coir and kenaf were produced from their yarns using self designed weaving device. The woven fibres were then converted as reinforcement in composite. Woven composite was prepared using manual hand lay up technique couple with vacuum bagging. Impact penetration and flexural (three point bending) test were conducted on composite sample. Morphological analysis was performed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). From the results obtained, dry woven coir composite displayed better mechanical properties for both impact and flexural properties compared to kenaf composite. Warp direction of coir composite and kenaf composite showed a better flexural strength compared to weft composite direction. Coir yarn with slight lower fineness value than kenaf yarn had contributed to the higher fibre density in woven structure. The structure used as composite reinforcement in turn produced better mechanical properties.