Effect of frequencies on dynamic mechanical properties of hybrid jute/sisal fibre reinforced epoxy composite

Abstract

The radically increase in applications of natural fibres is found in area of automobile, packaging and construction in the recent past. The present study shows an important investigation on dynamic mechanical properties of hybrid jute/sisal fibre reinforced epoxy composite at different frequencies. The hybrid composites were prepared by hand lay- up technique keeping constant 30 wt. % of total fibres content with varying weight percentages of jute and sisal fibres. Dynamic mechanical properties such as storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″) and damping (Tanδ) were investigated in temperature range of 30–200 °C. The results indicated that storage modulus, loss modulus and glass transition temperature (T_g) were found to increase with increase in frequencies. The overall use of hybridisation technique was found to be effective in increasing the dynamic mechanical properties. The potential application of hybrid jute/sisal fibre reinforced composites is going to increase in near future.

Keywords:

• Polymer composite
• continuous natural fibre
• hand lay-up method
• dynamic mechanical properties

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thanks the Head of Mechanical Engineering Department of Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, India for their support in allowing us to perform the tests in Materials Characterisation Lab.