Evaluation of Mechanical and Water Absorption Behavior of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Hybrid Biocomposites

ABSTRACT

The virtues of hybrid composites are higher performances and improved mechanical properties as compared to polymer composites. Hence, it have been extensively used in various applications. However, only a few works reported on the performance of natural fiber-reinforced biocomposite. In this study, the experimental work has been carried out to investigate the mechanical properties, such as tensile, flexural and impact, of randomly oriented Calotropis gigantea Fiber (CGFs) & Palmyra fiber (PFs)-reinforced Phenol-Formaldehyde (PF) hybrid biocomposites. The samples have been prepared by varying the fiber percentages and fiber length by using hand layup method. The fabricated specimens were tested as per ASTM standard. The results illustrate that the addition of palmyra fiber with Calotropis gigantea fiber composites improved the mechanical properties of hybrid composite. Hybridization of Calotropis gigantea Fiber (CGFs) & Palmyra fiber (PFs) was effective at higher fiber volume percentage composites. Variation in fiber length shows effective results in mechanical properties. The water absorption of the composites increased with the increase in the fiber volume percentage, all the composites attained equilibrium state after 120 hours. To understand the failure mechanism of composites during mechanical testing, the failed specimens were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) images. Also, the failure modes and their effects were discussed.

摘要

与聚合物复合材料相比，杂化复合材料的优点是具有更高的性能和更好的力学性能. 因此，它被广泛地应用于各种应用中. 然而，关于天然纤维增强生物复合材料性能的研究却很少. 本研究对无规定向巨钙纤维（CGFs）与棕榈纤维（PFs）复合生物复合材料的拉伸、弯曲和冲击等力学性能进行了研究. 用手糊法改变纤维含量和纤维长度制备了样品. 根据ASTM标准对制备的试样进行了测试. 结果表明，`palmyra纤维与巨晶硅纤维复合材料的加入改善了混杂复合材料的力学性能. 巨钙藻纤维（CGFs）与棕榈纤维（PFs）杂交可有效制备高纤维体积百分比的复合材料. 纤维长度的变化显示了机械性能的有效结果. 随着纤维体积分数的增加，复合材料的吸水率增加，120h后，复合材料均达到平衡状态. 为了了解复合材料在力学试验中的破坏机理，采用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）图像对失效试样进行了检测. 并对失效模式及其影响进行了讨论.

KEYWORDS:

• Natural fibers
• mechanical properties
• scanning electron microscope
• hybrid biocomposites
• moisture absorption

关键词:

• 天然纤维
• 力学性能
• 扫描电镜
• 复合生物复合材料
• 吸湿性