Natural Fiber Hybrid Research Articles

Response Surface Methodology for Optimisation of Parameter on Water Absorption of Natural Fibre Hybrid Composite in Boat Construction

Today, the utilisation of natural or green fibre has supplanted engineered fibre as fibreglass has become a pattern in composite boat producing and other gears because of its lightweight, excellent relative mechanical properties, and more significant elements. For example, it is eco-accommodating, has manageable materials, and has lower costs compared to fibreglass. The utilisation of fibreglass is costly and has a high effect on the natural biological system. It also gets over the area of ecological contamination, word-related well-being, and security concerns. This study used the Woven Kenaf/fibreglass as reinforcement and polyester as matric to fabricate hybrid composite coupons. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) of Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was applied to optimise fibre contents (35 to 75 wt%) and water absorption performance for the development of Woven Kenaf/fibreglass to polyester hybrid composite material based on the parameters. The BBD revealed that 45% Woven Kenaf/fibreglass to polyester performed the optimum fibre content and water absorption. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) showed that the model satisfactorily correlated the parameters. After immersion, 45% Woven Kenaf/fibreglass to polyester composite also gained 9.48% weight.

Modeling for predicting and optimizing of the flexural and hardness properties of jute/kenaf/glass fiber nano-composite through RSM

The research involves developing and evaluating hybrid natural and synthetic fiber composites using a hand lay-up technique and statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) to exploit the exceptional properties of the materials. The study examines the effects of different fibers (kenaf, jute, and glass), fiber orientation, fiber sequencing, and nanoparticle content on key mechanical properties such as flexural strength and hardness. Response surface methodology (RSM) is employed to create mathematical models of these properties. Statistical analysis reveals that fiber alignment and placement have a significant impact on the mechanical properties, with the type of nanoparticles used also playing a critical role in enhancing composite strength. Composites with fibers oriented at 90° show the best mechanical properties, especially when 5 % nanoparticles by weight are added. Among the different sequences tested, the hybrid composite with a 90-degree fiber orientation, sequence 1, and 5 % nanoparticles exhibits a 40 % increase in flexural strength and a 20 % increase in hardness compared to previous designs. Sequence 2 results in a 35 % improvement in flexural strength and an 18 % increase in hardness, while sequence 3 yields a 27 % improvement in flexural strength and an 18 % increase in hardness. These results confirm the superior performance of the hybrid composites when optimized with appropriate fiber orientation, sequencing, and nanoparticle content.

Microwave-assisted fabrication of high-strength natural fiber hybrid composites for sustainable applications: An experimental and computational study

The present study deals with the fabrication of hybrid composites using biodegradable and ecologically friendly natural fibers and a recyclable thermoplastic matrix. Pure and hybrid natural fiber composites of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with Kenaf and Ramie fiber, 20 wt%, were fabricated using microwave-assisted compression molding. The composite's mechanical characterization was performed using tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness tests. X-ray diffraction was done to investigate the crystallinity percentage, and scanning electron microscopy of fractured surfaces was performed to determine failure mechanisms. The hybrid composite of HDPE/Ramie and Kenaf exhibited the highest ultimate tensile strength (UTS) at 29.3 ± 1.2 MPa, surpassing HDPE/Kenaf (21.6 ± 1.1 MPa) and HDPE/Ramie (24.3 ± 1.4 MPa) composites. In terms of flexural strength, HDPE/Ramie demonstrated the highest at 19.9 ± 1.5 MPa, while HDPE/Kenaf had the lowest at 18 ± 1.1 MPa. The hybrid composite's flexural strength was intermediate at 19 ± 1.3 MPa. Impact strength followed a similar trend, with the hybrid composite leading at 40.2 KJ/m2, followed by HDPE/Ramie (26.9 KJ/m2) and HDPE/Kenaf (12.3 KJ/m2). Hardness tests revealed the highest hardness in the hybrid composite and the lowest in HDPE/Kenaf. A computational study has been performed to develop a model for predicting the hybrid composites. A strong agreement between both studies has been observed. The developed composite is deemed suitable for various light-duty applications, such as roofing, car interior panels, and mobile covers, offering potential benefits in reducing carbon footprint.

Bioresin based hybrid green composite preparation using Holoptelea integrifolia fibers reinforced by Ziziphus jujuba seed particles: a fuzzy logic assisted optimization of mechanical behaviour

Abstract In recent years, hybrid natural fiber–reinforced composites prepared by bio-based epoxy resin (BBER) have gained extensive usage due to their exceptional specific strength. Researchers have looked at natural fibre/BBER composites because of the vast array of technical uses for these materials. Experimenting with various composition combinations of hybrid natural fiber composites to improve their mechanical properties requires a significant amount of resources. The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate a tannic acid (TA) – based bio-based epoxy resin (BBER). The synthesized BBER was analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy. The bio-resin’s thermal characteristics were assessed using TGA, DSC, and OIT studies. Further, this study investigated the mechanical characteristics of hybrid composites prepared by Holoptelea integrifolia (HIBF) bark fibre reinforced with Ziziphus jujuba Seed Particles (ZJSP) which was manufactured using BBER. In the present study, a full factorial design was used to conduct experiments, which included three variables: the percentage of HIBF fibre by weight, the particle size of ZJSP, and the percentage of ZJSP by weight. The experimental results from the mechanical evaluation of the hybrid HIBF/ZJSP using BBER composites are then used to develop a fuzzy model that predicts mechanical parameters such as tensile strength (TS), flexural strength (FS), and impact strength (IS). An accurate prediction of the mechanical characteristics of hybridized composites made by the fuzzy model owing to the membership functions that were built. To further validate the fuzzy model, a set of tests utilising test cases were conducted. The model’s accuracy in predicting the mechanical characteristics of hybrid composites was determined to be 87 % based on the outcomes of the test cases.

Influence of fibre direction on the mechanical properties and artificial intelligence-based performance prediction of hybrid abaca-jute amino composites

In this study, the Hot-press method was used to create hybrid laminates using an equal amount of jute and abaca fibers with various fiber orientations [0/0/0/0/0/0, 0/45/0/0/45/0, 0/90/0/0/90/0, and +45/−45/+45/+45/−45/+45] embedded in amino resin. To assess the impact of fiber orientation on natural fiber hybrid eco-fiber composites, as per ASTM standard the tensile, flexural, impact, and ILSS tests were carried out. Additionally, conducting an in-depth statistical examination through the utilization of Machine Learning techniques like Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to make predictions. The experimental results revealed that the voids and defects have a significant impact on composite density. (0/45/0/0/45/0)The fiber-oriented composite (Composite B) had a higher experimental density and void content than the other composites. The Composite A (0/0/0/0/0/0) outperformed other composites in terms of tensile strength, flexural load-bearing capacity, and impact strength by 5% to 29%. When compared to other composites, the Composite A fiber-oriented composite had the highest ILSS value (3.35 MPa). SEM analysis revealed a good interface between abaca-jute ecofibers and amino resin in the composite. ANN effectively predicts strengths with high R2 scores of 1, 0.98, and 0.99 for tensile, flexural, and impact strengths. The model’s interaction coefficients are close to 1, indicating strong correlative and predictive value.

A novel machine learning framework informed by the fractional calculus dynamic model of hybrid glass/jute woven composite

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of glass‐jute fiber hybridization on the dynamic viscoelastic performance of woven natural fiber composites. Experiments elucidated the effects of low‐frequency vibration and glass/jute ratio on the storage modulus and loss factor. Results exhibited nonlinear escalations in storage modulus and loss factor with increasing frequency and glass fiber content. The loss factor also demonstrated nonlinear rises with frequency and jute content. A fractional calculus‐based two‐branch model successfully captured these behaviors by incorporating frequency and hybrid ratio as key variables, showing excellent agreement with measurements. To further improve predictive accuracy, an artificial neural network informed by the fractional calculus dynamic model is implemented by enforcing physical constraints during training. The physics‐informed artificial neural network achieved higher correlation to experiments than unconstrained models, affirming the value of fusing physics knowledge into data‐driven models. This study highlights the promise of physics‐guided machine learning for predicting the intricate dynamics of sustainable natural fiber hybrid composites. The integrated analytical and data‐driven techniques provide a pathway to comprehensively model the mechanical performance of advanced multiphase materials over diverse conditions.

Mechanical behaviour analysis for banana/coir natural fiber hybrid epoxy composites through experimental modelling

Mechanical behaviour analysis for banana/coir natural fiber hybrid epoxy composites through experimental modelling

Mechanical (static and dynamic) characterization and thermal stability of hybrid green composites for engineering applications

The development of sustainability in industry has made it imperative to utilize waste and accessible natural resources properly. Our goal is to transform the naturally occurring resources, tamarind seed powder (TSP), eelgrass (EG), and adamant creeper (AC), into goods that are beneficial to society. In this study, different weight proportions of alkali-treated AC, EG, and TSP were combined to make hybrid natural fiber (NF) composite materials using the hand layup process. The material strength of the alkali treated (15% AC, 20% EG, and 15% TSP) composite sample was attained 211 MPa, 278 MPa, 21.7 J/m2, and 84.6 for tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness in that sequence. The storage modulus, loss modulus, and mechanical loss factor were measured and plotted against temperature in a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) experiment. All composites had higher storage and loss moduli and a lower mechanical loss factor, indicating more elastic properties. The findings demonstrated that adding fiber-filled TSP fillers tended to make the epoxy matrix more viscoelastic stiffness. As the weight percentage of fibers in the composite increases, discernible changes in the structural damping capacity have also been noticed. The thermal characteristics of composites were inspected by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the TGA outcomes substantiated that the thermal constancy of a 20% EG-reinforced composite was good. The mechanical, dynamic, and thermal qualities of this composite material will yield significant benefits for the industrial sector.

Development of lightweight and high-strength glass fiber and natural fiber hybrid composites using VARTM technique

This research paper presents the synthesis of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) and Natural Fiber Hybrid Composites (NFHC) utilizing Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) techniques. Jute and flax fibers were strategically selected for their unique properties and potential synergistic effects when combined with glass fibers. The study systematically evaluates the influence of natural fiber incorporation on the mechanical performance of the composites, focusing on critical factors such as fiber type, orientation, and resin selection. A series of meticulously crafted laminate configurations were employed. These included combinations of glass and jute fibers (GJG, GJGJG), glass and flax fibers (GFG, GFGFG), and a reference laminate composed solely of glass fibers (GGGGG). The mechanical characterization involved rigorous Izod impact testing, hardness assessments, and water absorption tests to provide a detailed understanding of behavior of composite material. The results reveal that the incorporation of jute fibers resulted in a significant enhancement of impact resistance of up to 59 % compared to GFG laminates and hardness. Water absorption varied across the laminates, with GGGGG exhibiting the lowest value of 0.054 %. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was employed to gain valuable insights into the critical fiber-matrix interaction and microstructure of the composites, further elucidating the observed mechanical properties. These findings pave the way for lightweight, high-strength composites ideal for engineering applications, particularly automotive mono leaf springs. The resulting weight reduction promises significant gains in fuel efficiency and vehicle performance, advancing sustainable materials with exceptional mechanics.

Effect of alumina fillers on physical and mechanical properties of luffa/groundnut shell natural fiber reinforced polymer composites

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with hybrid luffa waste and groundnut shell waste natural fibers and to evaluate the effect of different filler loadings of alumina on the mechanical behavior of the hybrid composites. The luffa fibers were made to undergo mercerization in 10% NaOH solution. All the treated fibers and the alumina fillers were characterized using X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The study used three different filler loadings of alumina (Al2O3) (5%, 10%, and 15% by volume) and three different fractions of treated luffa‐waste groundnut shell hybrid fibers (10%, 30%, and 50% by volume). The composites were fabricated using the hand layup technique, and the prepared test specimens were subjected to mechanical and physical properties testing as per ASTM standards. The experimental findings indicated that the inclusion of Al2O3 filler improved the physical and mechanical characteristics of the natural fiber‐reinforced hybrid composites. The results showed that the composites with 30 vol. % fibers (1:1 luffa fiber: groundnut shell fiber) and 10 vol. % Al2O3 content showed enhanced tensile, flexural, shear, and impact strength and hardness. Besides, a good synergy between the alumina fillers, natural fibers, and the polymer matrix was observed in the surface morphology of the composite specimen. The developed composites can be used in low and medium‐load‐bearing structural and non‐structural applications.Highlights Development of hybrid polymer composites with luffa and novel groundnut shell fibers Hybridization of alumina ceramic particles with natural fiber hybrid composites Assessment of physical and mechanical properties of the polymer composites

Free vibration analysis of jute/kenaf/banana hybrid biocomposites: effects of various stacking sequences

This work provides an insight of the free vibration behaviour based on experimental modal analysis of hybrid natural fibre reinforced polymer composites fabricated via compression moulding method. This study aims to study the impact of different polymer matrices (vinyl ester and epoxy) and stacking order of different natural fibres (Jute, Kenaf and Banana) on the composite’s free vibration characteristics. Jute-Kenaf-Banana-Epoxy (JKBE) matrix composites exhibited enhanced free vibration properties compared to single fiber reinforcements, except the banana/epoxy composites. Additionally, Jute-Kenaf-Banana-Vinyl ester (JKBV) composites demonstrated improved free vibration properties in comparison to single fiber reinforcements, with the exception of kenaf/vinyl ester composites. Kenaf-Banana-Jute-Jute-Banana-Kenaf-Epoxy (KBJJBKE) and Kenaf-Banana-Jute-Jute-Banana-Kenaf-Vinyl ester (KBJJBKV) hybrid composites showed the highest natural frequencies of 68.36 Hz and 97.66 Hz, respectively. However, there was no significant improvements in the natural frequencies of Jute-Kenaf-Banana-Kenaf-Banana-Jute-Epoxy (JKBKBJE) and Jute-Kenaf-Banana-Kenaf-Banana-Jute-Vinyl ester (JKBKBJV) hybrid composites. The highest damping factor was observed for JKBKBJE (0.153) and JKBKBJV (0.224) hybrid composites. These hybrid composites with better free vibration properties shall be a potential candidate in the automobile interior applications.

Investigation of physical, mechanical, tribological and biodegradable properties of hybrid natural fibre reinforced polymer composite

This study has investigated the effect of natural fibres such as kenaf, coconut and jute and their combination as reinforced in an epoxy polymer matrix natural fiber reinforced polymer (NFRP) on mechanical properties (impact, flexural, tensile strength and hardness), thermal stability, tribological properties and biodegradability. The raw fibres were chemically treated with 3% NaOH for 24 h, and 10 wt.% was blended in the epoxy matrix. Further, a composite surface morphology and fibre dispersion were analysed using a scanning electron microscope. An improvement of an average of 30.39%, 1157.7% and 30.98% in impact strength, hardness and tensile strength, respectively, compared to pure epoxy composite. Further, the tribological study has shown a lesser frictional coefficient (∼0.275) in hybrid NFRP than in other composites where EN31 Steel disc is used as the counterbody. Moreover, the mixed NFRP has demonstrated excellent biodegradable properties compared to other NFRP and pure composites.

Development of hybrid green composites by dual natural fibers (jute/bamboo) reinforcement and investigation of their mechanical behavior

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of natural fiber hybrid composites, specifically those based on jute and bamboo fibers. Jute fibers made in the form of highly scattered mesh and fine‐meshed bamboo mat were selected as reinforcing materials. The highly scattered meshed jute fabric composite showed poor mechanical properties owing to resin agglomeration, leading to the brittle fracture of the composite before elongation. In contrast, the randomly oriented fine‐meshed bamboo fabric performed better in terms of both mechanical properties and strain energy absorption under the same loading conditions. Hybridization with fine bamboo mesh fibers can be a solution to improve the mechanical properties of jute fabric composites. The tensile, flexural, and in‐plane shear properties of the composites are investigated in our study. We found that hybridizing a fine‐meshed bamboo mat with jute fabric resulted in an improved mechanical performance of the composite. Composite panels have been manufactured using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). Experimental and numerical methods have been used to investigate the flexural behavior. Of the stacking sequences considered, the (J/B4/J) stacking showed the highest flexural strength (141.1 Mpa) and the (B2/J2/B2) 2/2 stacking sequence showed the minimum flexural strength. The alternating stacking sequence (B/J/B/J/B/J) exhibited intermediate properties. The randomly oriented bamboo fabric near the neutral axis enhanced the properties of the hybridized composite. This was verified numerically using the ANSYS ACP software.Highlights Mechanical behavior of Hybrid composite of two natural fibers was investigated. Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding was used to manufacture composite panels. Tensile, in plane shear, 3 point flexural tests and SEM micro analysis were done. FEA was used to validate and compare the experimental and numerical results. Resin agglomeration was improved by fibers with better resin impregnation property.

Advancing additive manufacturing: 3D‐printing of hybrid natural fiber sandwich (Nona/Soy‐PLA) composites through filament extrusion and its effect on thermomechanical properties

AbstractThe additive manufacturing technique represents a technological advancement post the industrial revolution, enabling the development of intricate products with minimal waste. In the automotive sector, polymer extrusion‐based additive manufacturing is predominantly employed for part customization. Recently, reinforced polymer matrices have been used to enhance structural integrity, primarily utilizing synthetic materials. Due to environmental concerns, some recent studies have explored the incorporation of natural fiber reinforcement in polymer matrices for 3D‐printed products. Most research has focused on filler reinforcement, limiting investigations to a single type of reinforcement. To bridge this gap and enhance composite performance, our research introduces a novel method for 3D printing composites. This involves stacking sequences using two different natural fiber‐reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) filaments, namely Nona and Soy, respectively. Mechanical testing reveals that the stacking sequence significantly influences the mechanical properties of the 3D‐printed composites. The 3D‐printed composite with Soy/PLA skin stacks exhibits the highest tensile strength of 74.82 MPa. Thermal analysis shows minor changes in glass transition temperature (Tg) and a consistent degree of crystallinity (10.01%). Notable differences in thermal expansion are observed due to the stacking sequence. Fatigue analysis demonstrates the durability of hybrid composites, enduring over 42,000 cycles with minimal deformation compared with to pure fiber‐reinforced 3D‐printed composites. Morphological analysis reveals excellent fiber–matrix interaction and bonding between stacks. The observations confirm that the developed material can be potentially used for developing structurally enhanced composites for lightweight applications. Moreover, the proposed methodology can be adapted for different 3D printing matrices, including robotic printing with multiple axes, making it suitable for various industrial sectors.Highlights Utilization of 3D printing technology for the development of agro‐waste fiber products. Hybridizing the 3D‐printed composite enhanced the fatigue life. New additive manufacturing technique for developing structurally enhanced composites.

Durability of hybrid flax fibre-reinforced epoxy composites with graphene in hygrothermal environment

Natural fibre composites are highly sensitive to the hygrothermal environment (humidity and elevated in-service temperature). Enhancing the long-term behaviour of such composites can be achieved through additive manufacturing using nanomaterials as a constituent. Thus, this study investigated the mechanical properties of hybrid flax fibre-reinforced epoxy composites with 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% of graphene nanoparticles after exposure to a relative humidity of 98% for 1000, 2000, and 3000 hours and at temperature of 20°C, 40°C, and 60°C. The degradation behaviour of hybrid natural fibre composites was then evaluated by flexural and inter-laminar shear tests. Hygrothermal conditioning simulation of these hybrid composites was then performed using Arrhenius model based on accelerated aging data. The results of this study showed that graphene nanoparticles played a significant role in the reduction of moisture absorption and in the improvement of mechanical properties after hygrothermal conditioning. Compared to the specimens without graphene nanoparticles, the flexural and interlaminar shear strength in hybrid composites with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% graphene increased by 77.7%, 72.0%, and 77.1%, respectively, and up to 75.5%, 70.6%, and 73.5%, respectively after exposure for 3000 hours at 40°C. However, the degradation of the hybrid composites increased with the increase of conditioning temperature and exposure duration due to the moisture diffusion into the flax fibres and resin plasticisation. Nevertheless, the 0.5% graphene nanoparticles were found optimal in retaining the mechanical properties of aged hybrid composites due to their better distribution within the matrix. Accelerated test results showed that the hybrid composites can retain at least 57% and 49% of its flexural and interlaminar shear strength, respectively, after 100 years in service in hygrothermal environment at a temperature of 30°C representing the average annual temperature in Australia.

Influence of layering sequence on performance of jute/wool epoxy hybrid composites: a comparative study with automotive plastic

Natural fibres such as Jute and Wool are increasingly being used in fibre reinforced polymer composites, hence progressively supplanting synthetic fibres. Combining these two unique natural fibers would improve the performance of composites used in secondary structural applications. This study is intended to investigate the effects of Jute and Wool fiber arrangement on mechanical properties in an epoxy matrix. In order to achieve this, hand layup was employed to fabricate composite laminates consisting of four layered fabric layers stacked in sequences, as Jute/Wool/Wool/Jute (JW1), Wool/Jute/Jute/Wool (JW2), Jute/Wool/Jute/Wool (JW3), and Jute/Jute/Wool/Wool (JW4). Effect of these stacking sequences on the properties of Natural Fibre Hybrid Composites (NFHCs) was evaluated by conducting a series of standardized tests such as Flexural, Interlaminar Shear Strength (ILSS), Impact and Single End Notch Bend (SENB) tests, as per ASTM standards. On the other hand an automobile interior thermoplastic material was evaluated for different mechanical properties and compared with hybrid Jute-Wool composite. Experimental results showed that the JW1 composite, exhibited superior mechanical properties because it has tailored with a Wool fabric at the core and Jute fabric on its outer surface. Hence, JW1 had a remarkable tensile strength of 40 MPa, a maximum flexural strength of 99 MPa and extremely high interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of 3.09 MPa. In addition to this, JW1 also had high fracture toughness, measuring around 72 M P a m 1 /2, and impressive impact strength of 85 J/m2. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM) photo images confirmed that the presence of strong bonding between the fibres and matrix in JW1 composite exhibited and overall improvement of mechanical performance by 82% when compared with other combinations (JW2, JW3, and JW4) including automotive plastics.

Mechanical characterization & regression analysis of Calamus rotang based hybrid natural fibre composite with findings reported on retrieval bending strength

Research on Bio-based natural fiber material promoted the development of reinforcement and expand their possible structural applications. In this study, fibers are extracted from the stem of Calamus rotang (common rattan-Indian Species). Further, the fiber is processed to get novel hybrid combinations with glass fibers by manual hand lay-up technique. Three sets of samples were prepared for the different volume fractions of 60:40, 30:30:30, and 60:32:8 of glass fiber/epoxy as neat composite sample (NCS), a hybrid combination of C. rotang /glass fiber with epoxy as modified reinforced composite sample (MRCS) and glass fiber/epoxy with calamus stem powder as modified matrix composite sample (MMCS) respectively. Mechanical tests including tensile, flexural, impact, and ILSS tests are conducted as per ASTM Standards. Comparative studies have been done to evaluate the effect of novel species of C. rotang on mechanical properties with neat GFRP composites. Addition to this regression analysis has been carried out to achieve the experimental correlation for tensile and bending tests. Microstructural analysis for all the tested samples has been done to assess the fracture mode. Novel findings on retrieval bending strength for MMCS has been reported for the first time for composite materials. Study proves that novel species have a significant impact on the basic properties of materials.

Mechanical characterization of novel Parthenium hysterophorus and Jute reinforced polymer matrix composites for light weight medium load applications and application of MADM-VIKOR approach

This study explores the use of natural fibers in composite materials to enhance mechanical properties and reduce water absorption for lightweight medium load applications. The approach involves hybridizing Parthenium hysterophorus (PH) and Jute with epoxy L-12 matrix in different stacking sequences to create four tri-layer composites. Mechanical tests following ASTM standards revealed that composites with Jute fibers on top and PH fibers in the middle exhibit superior mechanical performance and reduced water absorption, making them suitable for such applications. The tensile strength of composite (CP4) with PH fiber at center and Jute fibers at extreme was found to be 1.7 times higher compared to composite with all three layers of PH fiber (CP1). Similarly, the flexural strength and compressive strength of CP4 is found to be 60% and 80.5% more compared to CP1. Shore D hardness of CP4 is found to be 1.29 times better compared to CP1. Whereas the energy absorption due to impact load of CP1 is better compared to its counter parts wit CP1 exhibiting 71.15 times better compared to CP4. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of fractured surfaces provides insights into fiber bonding and fracture mechanisms. Overall, this research underscores the potential of natural fiber hybrid composites for improved mechanical characteristics and water resistance in various applications, highlighting specific fiber combinations and stacking sequences.

Application of machine learning and grey Taguchi technique for the development and optimization of a natural fiber hybrid reinforced polymer composite for aircraft body manufacture

Abstract The rapid expansion of the air transport industry raises significant sustainability concerns due to its substantial carbon emissions and contribution to global climate change. These emissions are closely linked to fuel consumption, which in turn is influenced by the weight of materials used in aircraft systems. This study extensively applied machine learning tools for the optimization of natural fiber-reinforced composite material production parameters for aircraft body application. The Taguchi optimization technique was used to study the effect of sisal fibers, glass fibers, fiber length, and NaOH treatment concentration on the performance of the materials. Multi-objective optimization methods like the grey relational analysis and genetic algorithm (using the MATLAB programming interface) were employed to obtain the best combination of the studied factors for low fuel consumption (low carbon emission) and high-reliability structural applications of aircraft. The models developed from regressional analysis had high accuracy of prediction, with R-Square values all >80%. Optimization of the grey relational analysis of the developed composite using the genetic algorithm showed the best process parameter to achieve low weight material for aircraft application to be 40% sisal, 5% glass fiber at 35 mm fiber length, and 5% NaOH concentration with grey relational analysis at the highest possible level, which is unity.

Influence of graphene nanoplatelets on the physical and mechanical properties of hybrid natural fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Influence of graphene nanoplatelets on the physical and mechanical properties of hybrid natural fiber reinforced epoxy composites