Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composites Research Articles

Fabrication and Mechanical Testing of Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composites Modified with Powdered Metallic Fillers

Composite materials made up of polymer matrix reinforced with synthetic fibers have gained popularity of late owing to their enhanced mechanical properties. However, very little work is reported to date on metals being used as filler material. Research gaps were obtained pertaining to the use of metallic fillers in synthetic fiber reinforced polymer composites. This paper demonstrates an attempt to fabricate composites made of Epoxy polymer matrix and E-glass fiber reinforcement with Mild Steel in its powdered form as fillers. Composites are prepared in varying weight percentages of the filler in the order of 2 wt. %, 4 wt. % and 6 wt. %. Hand layup method is employed for fabricating these composites which are later subjected to compression. Further, the samples are machined according to ASTM D3039 standard for tensile test and ASTM D256 standard for Izod impact test. Hardness test is also performed using a Shore D Durometer and these properties are compared with the unfilled samples. The results indicated that the weight percentage of the filler clearly influenced the mechanical properties of the developed composites. This study also revealed that the hardness and tensile strength of these composites improved with the incorporation of fillers up to 2 wt. % whereas, the impact strength improved up to 4 wt. %. Thereafter, there was a decline in their impact and tensile properties. However, hardness marginally increased beyond 4 wt. %. This area is open for research with regard to their usability under tribological, high temperature or magnetic conditions.

THE EFFECT OF GRAPHITE ADDITION ON THE FRICTION COEFFICIENT AND WEAR BEHAVIOR OF GLASS FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITES

The use of fillers in fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites to enhance the wear performance of the composite is a widely employed method nowadays. In this study, the effect of incorporating graphite filler into a glass fiber-reinforced composite structure on the tribological properties of the composite was investigated. Composite materials produced using the hand lay-up method with three different levels of graphite filler were compared to unfilled composites in terms of wear behavior under different loads (7 N, 10 N, 15 N) and sliding distances (200 m, 400 m). The influence of load, filler content, and sliding distance on the friction coefficient and wear rate was discussed. When the results are examined, the significant effects of graphite filler on wear volume and friction coefficient are clearly observed. In the composite containing 12% graphite, the wear volume has decreased by almost 96%; this ratio has been around 93% for the composite with 4% graphite filler. As the reinforcement of graphite and force increase, the friction coefficient decreases, whereas with the increase in sliding distance, the friction coefficient declines. Microstructural analysis revealed that the filled composites exhibited less abrasion compared to the unfilled composites, and the surface porosity and craters were shallower.

Enhanced mechanical and thermal properties in 3D printed Al2O3 lattice/ epoxy interpenetrating phase composites

Interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) with 3D printed alumina microlattices infiltrated with epoxy have been fabricated. Mechanical analysis shows that the IPCs under quasi-static compression generally exhibit fracture behaviour similar to that of their ceramic-lattice constituent but in a gradual manner. The IPCs with Simple Cubic lattices initiate the fractures at the struts in the outer lattice planes, while IPCs with Octet Truss and Kelvin Cell lattices tend to fracture at their (110) or (111) planes. The compressive strength and energy absorption of IPCs follow the order of Simple Cubic > Kelvin Cells > Octet Truss when the ceramic volume fraction is 0.3. The IPCs display compressive strengths up to 120% higher and energy absorption 100% greater than the iso-strain combined properties of the lattice and epoxy. The factors governing the fracture behaviour and the strengthening and energy absorption mechanisms are thoroughly discussed. Furthermore, the IPCs show much better retention of mechanical strength and dimensional stability at elevated temperatures compared with many commonly used particle or fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites.

Investigation of mechanical properties and damage types of E-glass fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites under various loadings

This study presents a comprehensive experimental investigation to determine the elastic material properties of a unidirectional E-glass fiber/epoxy composite. Tension, compression, in-plane shear, and flexural tests were conducted in both longitudinal and transverse directions. The composite laminates were manufactured using vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) with a 65% fiber weight fraction. Mechanical tests were performed according to ASTM standards, and special fixtures were used for shear and compression tests. The damage mechanisms were interpreted for each test, revealing fiber splitting in tension and kink band failure in compression were dominant damage modes. The findings provide valuable insights into the behavior and performance of the composite under various loading conditions, which may help in its application in different engineering fields.

Experimental Investigation on Effect of Weight Fraction of Sisal Fiber on Mechanical Properties of Sisal-E-Glass Hybrid Polymer Composites

Currently, hybridizing natural fibers with synthetic fiber is considered as the best solution for reducing the environmental pollution and the cost of materials. This is due to the lower mechanical properties and high water absorption capacity problems of natural fiber reinforced composites and nonbiodegradability and high-cost problem of synthetic fibers that can be solved by hybridizing them. This article aims to investigate the influence of the weight fraction of the sisal fiber on the mechanical property of the E-glass-sisal fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composite. The sisal fiber was treated by 8% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for three hours. The samples of five different weight fractions of fibers (0%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 60%) with a constant weight fraction of epoxy matrix (40%) were prepared as per the ASTM standard prepared by the manual hand layup method at room temperature. The tensile, compression, and flexural tests of the samples were carried out on the WP 310 universal testing machine. From the experimental results, it has been observed that the increasing weight fraction of the sisal fiber greatly influences the mechanical properties (tensile, compression, and flexural) of E-glass-sisal hybrid reinforced epoxy matrix composites. From all the tested samples, those consisting of 60% E-glass and 0% sisal fibers with 40% epoxy matrix showed better mechanical properties than other hybrid samples with tensile, compressive, and flexural strengths of 464.03 MPa, 40.1 MPa, and 239.06 MPa, respectively.

Cutting Parameter Optimization in Milling of Glass Fiber and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites to Reduce Cutting Force

Abstract Composite materials are often preferred in many engineering applications because of their lightness and high-strength properties. However, in addition to the advantages of composite materials, processing problems exist. The processing of fiber-reinforced composite materials is more complex than other metal materials. The forces that arise during milling cause undesirable results, such as tool wear and energy loss. In this study, the cutting parameter optimization was made by measuring the force during carbon fiber and glass fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites milling. Cutting velocity (90, 120, and 150 m/min) and feed per tooth (0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 mm/tooth) were selected as cutting parameters. Experiments were planned according to the Taguchi method with two parameters and three levels. Optimization of the parameters was evaluated using the signal/noise ratio approach. The effectiveness of parameters on results was determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Optimum levels were found as 120 m/min for cutting velocity and 0.1 mm/tooth for feed per tooth both glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. According to the ANOVA results, the contribution rates of the force parameters were 81.05 % for cutting velocity and 15.03 % for feed per tooth in GFRP composites. The contribution rates of the force parameters were 43.69 % for cutting velocity and 46.18 % for feed per tooth in CFRP composites. The surfaces of the milled samples were examined with an optical microscope to investigate the damage. It was observed that the surfaces of CFRP samples had a better surface quality than GFRP samples.

Effect of solution-blown nanofibrous web on quasi-static punch shear test results and quasi-static indentation behavior of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites

This study investigated the effects of the nanofiber interlayer in carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites on quasi-static loading behaviors such as quasi-static punch shear (QS-PST), quasi-static indentation (QSI), and short-beam shear (SBS) loading. The solution-blowing technique was used to produce polyamide-6 (PA6) nanofiber with 1 g/m2 areal density. A 2×2 twill weave carbon fiber fabric with an areal density of 200 g/m2 was covered with solution-blown nanofibers. The vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) method was used to manufacture nanofiber interlayered composites and non-interlayered composites. QS-PS experiments were conducted at three different span to punch ratios (SPR), namely 1.1, 2, and 4. The PA6 nanofiber had a synergetic effect on the composite structure. In the QS-PST experiments, it increased the amount of work achieved by the specimen at rates of 29.5%, 13.5%, and 5.66% for SPR 1.1, 2, and 4, respectively while it provided increases in the maximum force at rates of 15.3%, 15%, and 5.7%, respectively. Additionally, the PA6 nanofiber contributed to the composite material properties determined based on the QSI test including the maximum force, punch crush strength, crush stiffness, and through-thickness modulus at rates of 7.5%, 7.56%, 2.72%, and 5.76%, respectively. Finally, an increase at a rate of 11.43% was determined in the SBS strength of the nanofiber interlayered composite, while it showed an increase in maximum force observed during the SBS experiment at a rate of 12.28%. The enhancements of mechanical properties of structural composites make them more reliable for high technology applications like aerospace, and automotive.

Seawater Effects on Thermally Aged Ambient Cured Carbon/Epoxy Composites: Moisture Kinetics and Uptake Characteristics.

Carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites using ambient- and moderate-temperature curing non-autoclave processes have broad applicability in marine, offshore, and naval applications. This research focuses on the characterization of moisture kinetics of ambient cured carbon/epoxy composites subject to immersion in seawater for up to 72 weeks after prior periods of extended thermal aging. A two-stage model is shown to best describe the overall kinetics and response. The level of maximum moisture uptake shows an increasing trend with the temperature and time of prior thermal aging, reaching asymptotic levels at the highest levels. The transition point is seen to represent a shift between the diffusion and relaxation-/deterioration-based dominant regimes, and the ratio of uptake at the transition point to the maximum uptake can be correlated to the relaxation coefficient. Diffusivity, as expected, generally increases with the temperature of prior aging and shows changes based on the level of post-curing and network changes with time. Moisture uptake kinetics and characteristics developed through the sequence of exposures provide a better understanding of phenomena towards the development of a future comprehensive model capable of long-term prediction based on the sequential prior history of exposure to elevated temperatures and immersion in seawater.

Development and evaluation of physical properties of E-glass fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites filled with fly ash particulate

This present investigation deals with the physical characteristic influence due to the presence of fly ash particles in epoxy-based composites. The study involved four sets of composites that were fabricated using the hand layup technique, with particle weights ranging from 0% to 12% wt. The impact of the weight percentage of particles on physical characteristics is being studied. To understand the physical characteristics of fly ash with epoxy polymer, this study evaluated the density, moisture content, and dimension stability of composites. After a number of experiments, it is evident that adding fly ash decreases the density of composites due to their void content. Dimensional stability is also investigated as a function of dip time inside water and fly ash weight percentage variation.

Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Effectiveness of Direct-Grown-Carbon Nanotubes/Carbon and Glass Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composites.

In this study, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown under the same conditions as those of carbon fibers and glass fibers, and a comparative analysis was performed to confirm the potential of glass fibers with grown CNTs as electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. The CNTs were grown directly on the two fiber surfaces by a chemical vapor deposition process, with the aid of Ni particles loaded on them via a Ni-P plating process followed by heat treatment. The morphology and structural characteristics of the carbon and glass fibers with grown CNTs were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), and the EMI shielding efficiency (EMI SE) of the directly grown CNT/carbon and glass fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites was determined using a vector-network analyzer. As the plating time increased, a plating layer serving as a catalyst formed on the fiber surface, confirming the growth of numerous nanowire-shaped CNTs. The average EMI SET values of the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) with grown CNTs maximized at approximately 81 and 40 dB, respectively. Carbon fibers with grown CNTs exhibited a significantly higher EMI SET value than the glass fiber-based sample, but the latter showed a higher EMI SET increase rate. This indicates that low-cost, high-quality EMI-shielding materials can be developed through the growth of CNTs on the surface of glass fibers.

Microscale evaluation of epoxy matrix composites containing thermoplastic healing agent

Among the strategies to produce healable thermosetting systems is their modification by the addition of thermoplastic particles. This work investigates the influence of poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMAA) on fiber-matrix interfacial properties of a glass fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composite. Epoxy-EMAA interactions were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared spectroscopy. The effects of EMAA on the epoxy network formation were evidenced by changes in glass transition temperature, cure kinetics and alteration of chemical groups during cure. Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) measurements obtained by single fiber pull-out tests indicate similar interfacial properties for pure and EMAA modified epoxy. Additionally, the potential for self-healing ability of an EMAA modified epoxy was demonstrated. However, IFSS after a healing cycle for the EMAA modified epoxy was lower as compared to the pure epoxy, because of the lower fiber-EMAA interfacial shear strength. So, thermoplastic healing agents has not only to fill cracks in the matrix material, but also have to be optimized regarding its interface properties to the reinforcing fibers.

Effect of aloe vera natural fibre orientation on the mechanical propertiesof epoxy composites

ABSTRACT Natural fibre reinforced polymer composites have found a wide range of applications in the automobile industry, construction industry and toy industry, and so on. In this research work, bidirectional aloe vera fibre mats were used as reinforcement and epoxy as matrix materials. Hand Layup process was applied for fabrication of aloe vera fibre reinforced epoxy matrix composites which contain different fibre orientations such as 45°, 60°, 75°, and 0°/90°. The goal of this research work is to obtain the influence of fibre orientation on mechanical and water absorption properties. The experimental investigations like tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and the water absorption tests were performed. The surface morphology of the tensile failed test specimens were alsoanalysed using afield emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). When compared to other fibre orientation composites, 0°/90° aloe vera fibre orientation has superior mechanical capabilities and 45° fibre orientation obtained minimum mechanical properties, according to the results of the experiment. As compared to 45° fibre orientation, 90° fibre orientation obtained 283.81%, 168.41%, and 202.54% higher tensile, flexural, and impact strength, respectively.

Femtosecond laser micromachining of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites

Unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites fabricated by compression die molding technique were exposed to femtosecond laser pulses of 1030 nm wavelength, 560 fs duration and a pulse repetition rate of 100 kHz. Laser tracks were engraved on the composite surface using pulse energy from 1 to 5 μJ both in the direction parallel and perpendicular to the fibers axis. The resulted morphology of the laser treated surface was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The laser induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) with an average periodicity of 195 ± 45 nm were observed on the carbon fiber surface while the epoxy matrix showed fine granular morphology. The surface topography of the laser tracks was quantitatively analyzed by 3D reconstruction of stereographic pairs of FESEM images recorded at two different inclinations of specimen with respect to the incident electron beam. The difference in ablation depth of fiber and epoxy was measured from stereographic images which showed a remarkable change in ablation depth of fiber and the matrix for pulse energy in the range 1–3 μJ and 4–5 μJ. The observations made in this study are expected to be useful for achieving improved bonding in composite structure repaired by adhesive joining.

Gamma radiation shielding property of continuous fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composite containing functional filler using Monte Carlo simulation

• MCNP model of continuous fiber reinforced composite containing filler for gamma radiation shielding was established. • The effects of filler size and distribution, fiber type and their stacking order on μ were illustrated. • The experimental results confirmed the XCOM and MCNP simulation results. Functional filler modified fiber reinforced polymer composites are promising structural/radiation shielding materials in application fields of nuclear technology. In this work, MCNP simulating models of epoxy resin matrix composites containing shielding micro-fillers (tungsten oxide and boron carbide) and continuous fiber for gamma radiation shielding were established by Lattice and Universe features in MCNP. The effects of filler size and uniformity of dispersion, types of filler and fiber, stacking order of composite layers on liner attenuation coefficient ( μ ) and mass attenuation coefficient ( μ m ) were investigated using MCNP simulation. The corresponding shielding mechanisms were discussed. Furthermore, typical kinds of composites were prepared by hot-press process and their μ were tested. The numerical results show that μ decreases more significantly with large filler size and uneven dispersion in low-energy gamma rays. For fibers, μ is proportional to density independent of element type of fiber. Besides, stacking order has negligible effect on μ . All MCNP results are in good agreements with the calculation data from XCOM and the experimental values, which demonstrates the validity of the proposed modeling method. Thus, this simulation model can be used to design and evaluate radiation shielding composites with complex component and microstructure.

Static and fatigue tensile properties of carbon/glass hybrid fiber-reinforced epoxy composites

The static and fatigue tensile properties of high-strength polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon (IMS60) and electronic (E)-class glass (E-glass) hybrid fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites (HFRPs) were investigated. The fiber orientations of the HFRP specimens were set to unidirectional with [(0(IMS60))/(0(E-glass))]S (subscript S means symmetry and [(0(IMS60))/(0(E-glass))/(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))]), [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))]S, [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))2]S, [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))3]S, [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))5]S, [(0(E-glass))2/(0(IMS60))]S, [(0(E-glass))3/(0(IMS60))]S, and [(0(E-glass))5/(0(IMS60))]S. Under static loading for the [(0(IMS60))/(0(E-glass))]S, [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))]S, [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))2]S, [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))3]S, and [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))5]S HFRP specimens, the stress applied to the specimen was almost linearly proportional to the strain until failure. However, the tensile stress–strain curves of the [(0(E-glass))2/(0(IMS60))]S, [(0(E-glass))3/(0(IMS60))]S, and [(0(E-glass))5/(0(IMS60))]S HFRP specimens had a complicated shape (jagged trace). The Weibull statistical distributions of the tensile strength values were also examined. The Weibull moduli for the [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))]S, [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))2]S, [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))3]S, [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))5]S, [(0(E-glass))2/(0(IMS60))]S, [(0(E-glass))3/(0(IMS60))]S, and [(0(E-glass))5/(0(IMS60))]S HFRP specimens were higher than those for the mono carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy (CFRP) and glass fiber-reinforced epoxy (GFRP) specimens. Under fatigue loading, the fatigue properties of the HFRP specimens showed CFRP-dominant behaviour at high stress levels and GFRP-dominant behaviour at low stress levels. The fatigue properties of the HFRP specimens increased with increasing volume fraction of CFRP in the following order: ([(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))5]S > [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))3]S > [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))2]S > [(0(IMS60))/(0(E-glass))]S > [(0(E-glass))/(0(IMS60))]S > [(0(E-glass))2/(0(IMS60))]S > [(0(E-glass))3/(0(IMS60))]S > [(0(E-glass))5/(0(IMS60))]S).

Effects of introducing CNTs and GPLs on mechanical, modal, thermal, and water uptake properties of twill basalt fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composites

The current study investigates the effect of the addition of multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene platelets (GPLs) on the mechanical, dynamic, viscoelastic, and water uptake properties of basalt fiber-reinforced epoxy (BFE) composites. The results show that the addition of nanoparticles in small concentrations improves the mechanical properties including the modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, flexural modulus, strength, and interlaminar shear strength of BFEs. Moreover, the filling of nanofillers in small concentrations increases the natural frequency and decreases the damping factor. Based on the viscoelastic test results, the addition of CNTs and GPLs in small concentrations improves the viscoelastic properties such as the storage modulus, loss modulus, damping ratio, thermal stability, and thermal conductivity. The filling of CNTs in small concentrations increases the hydrophilic nature. The addition of GPL nanoparticles affects the BFE water uptake characteristics similar to the addition of CNTs. It is worth mentioning that the addition of such nanoparticles in higher concentrations affects the mechanical, modal, and viscoelastic properties of the composites unfavorably.

Mode-I interlaminar fracture of aramid and carbon fibers reinforced epoxy matrix composites at various SiC particle contents

Abstract The Mode-I interlaminar fracture characteristics of aramid fabric andcarbon fabric reinforced epoxy composites along with the influence of SiC particle content were explored. Double cantilever beam (DCB) tests were performed in accordance with ASTM D 5528 for the purpose of examining the behavior of Mode-I delamination. The results showed that, the adhesion strength of an SiC particle within an aramid/ epoxy composite system was better than that within a carbon/epoxy composite system. The highest values of Mode-I fracture toughness of an aramid fabric/epoxy specimen and a carbon fabric/epoxy specimen were 1391 J × m-2 and 701 J × m-2 with SiC particle contents of 10 wt.-% and 5 wt.-%, respectively. The micrographs from optical and scanning electron microscopes verified the enhancements of Mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness behavior.

Moisture Absorption Studies of COIR and Sisal Short Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

Abstract: Easy availability of natural fibre, low cost and ease of manufacturing have urged the attention of researchers towards the possibility of reinforcement of natural fiber to improve their mechanical properties and study the extent to which they satisfy the required specifications of good reinforced polymer composite for industrial and structural applications. Polymer composites made of natural fiber is susceptible for moisture. Moisture absorption in such composites mainly because of hydrophilic nature of natural fibers. Water uptake of natural fiber reinforced composites has an effect on different. Lot of researchers prepared the natural fiber reinforced composites without conducting water absorption tests; hence it is the potential area to investigate the behavior of the composites with different moisture absorption. In this research the experimental sequence and the materials are used for the study of coir and Sisal short fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites. The coir and Sisal short fibers are made into the short fibers with 10 mm x 10 mm x 5 mm size. The Epoxy Resin-LY556(Di glycidyl ether of bi phenol) and Hardner-HYD951 (Tetra mine), the water absorption behaviors are analyzed in the coir and Sisal short fibers reinforced epoxy composites. The water absorption behaviors of the epoxy composites reinforced with the coir and sisal short fibers with 25, 30 and 35wt% were analyzed at three different water environments, such as sea water, distilled water, and tap water for 12 days at room temperature. It was observed that the composites show the high level of the water absorption percentage at sea water immersion as compared to the other water environments. Due to the water absorption, the mechanical properties of macro particle/epoxy composites were decreased at all weight percentages. Keywords: Natural fibre, Moisture absorption, Coir and sisal short fibre, Reinforced polymer composites, Water absorption behaviour Polymer matrix composite (Epoxy resin) using Coir and sisal short fibre and to study its moisture absorption behaviour

Applicability of linear elastic fracture mechanics to compressive damage in carbon fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites

The failure of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites has been attributed to different mechanisms involving tensile, compressive and shear failure of the fibers or the matrix. This research serves to understand whether linear elastic fracture mechanics can explain the matrix behavior under compressive loading. Experiments and finite element analysis (FEA) are used to confirm that the matrix under compressive loads follows the relationships established by linear elastic fracture mechanics. The failure load is related to the corresponding notch length, and the observed relationship is compared to the relationship defined by linear elastic fracture mechanics.

Thermal and Chemical Characterization of Kenaf Fiber (Hibiscus cannabinus) Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composites.

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is one of the most investigated and industrially applied natural fibers for polymer composite reinforcement. However, relatively limited information is available regarding its epoxy composites. In this work, both thermal and chemical properties were, for the first time, determined in kenaf fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites. Through XRD analysis, a microfibrillar angle of 7.1° and crystallinity index of 44.3% was obtained. The FTIR analysis showed the functional groups normally found for natural lignocellulosic fibers. TMA analysis of the composites with 10 vol% and 20 vol% of kenaf fibers disclosed a higher coefficient of thermal expansion. The TG/DTG results of the epoxy composites revealed enhanced thermal stability when compared to plain epoxy. The DSC results corroborated the results obtained by TGA, which indicated a higher mass loss in the first stage for kenaf when compared to its composites. These results might contribute to kenaf fiber composite applications requiring superior performance.