The Effects of Stacking Sequence on the Tensile and Flexural Properties of Kenaf/Jute Fibre Hybrid Composites

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study to analyze the effects of the stacking sequence of kenaf and jute fibers on the tensile and flexural properties of the kenaf/jute hybrid composites. Kenaf/jute/kenaf (K/J/K), jute/kenaf/jute (J/K/J) and neat epoxy (EP) composites were prepared using the hand lay-up technique while maintaining total fiber loading of 30 wt%. Mechanical properties were analyzed by using Instron Universal Testing machines. The obtained results showed that the K/J/K hybrid composites exhibited the highest tensile strength (43.21 MPa) and flexural strength (75.57 MPa) as compared with J/K/J hybrid composites. K/J/K hybrid composites also display better tensile and flexural modulus of 3.60 GPa and 4.63 GPa, respectively, as compared to J/K/J hybrid and neat epoxy composites. The morphological properties of tensile and flexural fracture samples of the hybrid composites were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It’s clear from SEM that fiber pull-out, and matrix cracks occurs in all composites, but K/J/K hybrid composites display better fiber/matrix interfacial bonding. We concluded from this work that layering sequence plays an important role in the mechanical performance of hybrid composites and attributed that fabricated hybrid composites can be used in engineering application such as interiors for aircrafts and automotive.

摘要

研究了红麻和黄麻纤维的堆积顺序对红麻/黄麻复合材料拉伸和弯曲性能的影响. 采用手糊工艺制备了红麻/黄麻/红麻(K/J/K)、黄麻/红麻/黄麻(J/K/J)和纯环氧树脂(EP)复合材料同时保持纤维总载重量的30%. 采用Instron万能试验机对其力学性能进行了分析。结果表明K/J/K复合材料的拉伸强度(43.21MPa)和弯曲强度(75.57MPa)均高于J/K/J复合材料. K/J/K复合材料的拉伸和弯曲模量分别为3.60GPA和4.63GPA而J/K/J复合材料和纯环氧树脂复合材料的拉伸和弯曲模量分别为3.60GPA和4.63GPA. 利用扫描电镜(SEM)分析了复合材料拉伸和弯曲断裂试样的形貌特征。从扫描电镜可以清楚地看出复合材料中都存在纤维的拔出和基体的裂纹但K/J/K复合材料的界面结合性能较好. 研究结果表明分层顺序对复合材料的力学性能起着重要的作用并认为所制备的复合材料可用于飞机和汽车内饰等工程应用.

KEYWORDS:

• Kenaf fibre
• jute fibre
• tensile properties
• flexural properties
• hybrid composites
• scanning electron microscopy

关键词:

• 红麻纤维
• 黄麻纤维
• 拉伸性能
• 抗弯性能
• 混合复合材料
• 扫描电子显微镜

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude and sincere appreciation to the Aerospace Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), and the Laboratory of Bio-composite Technology, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM (HICOE).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Universiti Putra Malaysia under GPB [9668200].