Experimental Investigation on Mechanical and Biodegradation Properties of Indian Almond–Kenaf Fiber-Reinforced Hybrid Composites for Construction Applications

ABSTRACT

Tri-layer hybrid composites composed of Indian almond and kenaf fibers were fabricated using hand layup method. Two types of hybrid composites namely Kenaf/Indian almond/Kenaf (K/I/K) and Indian almond/Kenaf/Indian almond (I/K/I) were prepared for the investigation. Tensile, flexural, impact, moisture absorption and biodegradation studies were performed on the prepared composites. Tensile and flexural studies revealed that the K/I/K composite showed the maximum average tensile and flexural strength of 85 MPa and 92 MPa, respectively, due to the presence of high strength kenaf fiber as outer layer. The impact study exhibited that the I/K/I composite displayed the maximum average impact strength (5 kJ/m²) owing to the presence of Indian almond fiber at outer layer that absorbed more impact energy due to more surface cracks. Moisture absorption and biodegradation studies showed that the I/K/I composite absorbed more moisture and degraded greatly compared to that of K/I/K composite. The experimental investigations concluded that the K/I/K composite could be used in structural applications as showed better tensile and flexural properties and I/K/I composite could be used in damping environments as displayed better impact strength.

摘要

采用手糊法制备了由印度杏仁和红麻纤维组成的三层混杂复合材料. 制备了红麻/印度杏仁/红麻（K/I/K）和印度杏仁/红麻/印度杏仁（I/K/I）两种复合材料. 对制备的复合材料进行了拉伸、弯曲、冲击、吸湿和生物降解性能的研究. 拉伸和弯曲研究表明，K/I/K复合材料的最大平均拉伸和弯曲强度分别为85mpa和92mpa，这是由于外层为高强度红麻纤维. 冲击研究表明，I/K/I复合材料表现出最大的平均冲击强度（5kj/m2），这是由于外层有印度杏仁纤维，由于表面裂纹较多，吸收了较多的冲击能量. 吸湿性和生物降解性研究表明，与K/I/K复合材料相比，I/K/I复合材料吸收了更多的水分，降解性能大大提高. 实验结果表明，K/I/K复合材料具有较好的拉伸和弯曲性能，可用于结构应用I/K/I复合材料具有较好的冲击强度，可用于阻尼环境.

KEYWORDS:

• Hybrid composite
• Indian almond
• kenaf
• mechanical properties
• biodegradation

关键词:

• 混合复合材料
• 印度杏仁
• 红麻
• 机械性能
• 生物降解