The Effect of Hybridisation on Mechanical Properties and Water Absorption Behaviour of Woven Jute/Ramie Reinforced Epoxy Composites.

Cionita Tezara,Agung Efriyo Hadi,Agustinus Purna Irawan,Mohammad Hazim Mohamad Hamdan,Januar Parlaungan Siregar,Deni Fajar Fitriyana,Ahmed Nurye Oumer,Zalinawati Muhamad,Teuku Rihayat,Jamiluddin Jaafar

doi:10.3390/polym13172964

Abstract

Recently, the most critical issue related to the use of natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPC) is the degradation properties of composites exposed to the environment. NFRPC’s moisture absorption behaviour has adverse effects on the composite’s mechanical properties and dimensional stability. The purpose of this study is to analyse the mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced by jute–ramie hybridisation. This study also analysed the effect of stacking sequence hybridisation of the jute–ramie composite on water absorption behaviour. A five-layer different type of stacking sequence of single and hybrid jute–ramie is produced with the hand lay-up method. The results obtained from this study found that the mechanical properties and water absorption behaviour of a single jute fibre are lower compared to a single ramie fibre. The hybrid of jute–ramie has been able to increase the performance of composite compared to pure jute composites. The mechanical properties of the hybrid jute–ramie composite show a reduction effect after exposure to an aqueous environment due to the breakdown of fibre matrix interfacial bonding. However, after 28 days of immersion, all types of the stacking sequence’s mechanical properties are still higher than that of pure epoxy resin. In conclusion, the appropriate sequence of stacking and selecting the material used are two factors that predominantly affect the mechanical properties and water absorption behaviour. The hybrid composites with the desired and preferable properties can be manufactured using a hand-lay-up technique and used in the various industrial applications.

Highlights

One common drawback of natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites in outdoor applications is their moisture absorption behaviour, which affects the dimensional stability and mechanical properties of the composites [1,2]
This study has successfully investigated the effect of hybridization of jute–ramie reinforced epoxy composites on mechanical properties and water absorption behaviour
The results showed that the mechanical properties and water absorption behaviour of hybrid jute–ramie, the tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), weight gain, thickness swelling, and degradation of tensile properties, were improved after the specimen was immersed in water for 28 days

Summary

Introduction

One common drawback of natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites in outdoor applications is their moisture absorption behaviour, which affects the dimensional stability and mechanical properties of the composites [1,2]. The absorption of moisture from natural fibre composites remains a major concern, especially for outdoor applications [7,8]. Water absorption in fibre-reinforced polymer composites is mediated by three major mechanisms: Diffusion, capillary, and water molecule transport. Water diffusion at the fibre–matrix interface causes differential swelling of the natural fibre, which is mostly due to its hydrophilic nature. Fibre swelling may induce tension at the interface, resulting in matrix degradation and micro-cracking, which exacerbates water uptake [13]

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