Abstract
Expensive and non-biodegradable synthetic fibres are commonly utilized as reinforcement in composites for better mechanical properties. The eco-friendly and low-cost properties of natural fibres are promising alternative reinforcement for composites. In this study epoxy-based glass and jute fibres reinforced hybrid composites are fabricated varying fibre stacking sequences, 1jute-1glass alternatively (j-g-j-) and 4glass-9jute-4glass (4g-9j-4g). Hybridization of jute and glass fibre results better tensile, flexural and water absorption properties than only jute fibre reinforced composites but inferior to only glass fibre reinforced composites. The 4g-9j-4g stacking sequence resulted in better mechanical and water absorption properties than j-g-j-- stacking sequence. The effect of chemical treatment and glass microfiber infusion are also investigated. Chemically treated jute fibre and 2 wt.% microfiber infused hybrid composite shows about 42% improvements in flexural strength as compared to untreated and without microfiber infused composites. However, fibre chemical treatment and microfiber do not have a positive impact on tensile strength.
Highlights
1 INTRODUCTION Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been extensively utilized for many structural applications like automotive parts, airplanes interior parts, household appliances, and construction materials [1]
The environmental concerns have led to substantial attention in the development of new composite materials with addition of more than one reinforcement that is derive from biodegradable resources, such as natural lignocellulosic fibres
The fibre reinforced polymer composites can be manufactured by adopting various manufacturing techniques such as- hand lay-up, compression molding, injection molding, auto-clave, and vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) processes [6]
Summary
Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been extensively utilized for many structural applications like automotive parts, airplanes interior parts, household appliances, and construction materials [1]. No study reported the effect of fibre stacking sequence, chemical treatment of jute and micro fibre infusion altogether on mechanical and water absorption properties of Jute-glass reinforced hybrid composite. Bi-directional woven jute and glass fibre reinforced hybrid composite panels are fabricated through hand layout followed by compression molding techniques. 2 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES 2.1 Composite Fabrication In this research, bi-directional woven mats of jute fibre and glass fibre were used as reinforcement and thermosetting polymer epoxy resin was used as matrix. Different fibre stacking sequences as well as manually chopped micro glass fibres (20-50 μm length; 2 wt.% of total fibre weight) were used to observe the variation of mechanical and water absorption properties of the fabricated composite panels. P is the maximum load (N), b and h are the width and thickness of the specimen, respectively, in mm
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