Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Natural Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites with Acacia Mangium Fiber and Teak Wood Powder

Abstract

This study makes use of inexpensive natural fibers like Acacia Mangium fiber and Teak wood powder. A unique hybrid composite specimen was made by combining epoxy as the matrix material (70%) and hardener as the reinforcement material (30%). The reinforcement material was NaOH chemically treated Acacia Mangium fiber and to further improve the properties, teak wood powder was added as a filler. The hand-lay method was used to make the composite material and made three specimen combinations with different ratios of reinforced material: 6%, 12%,18%, and 24%. In accordance with ASTM standards, the prepared specimen has undergone evaluation of its mechanical properties, including tensile, hardness compression, flexural and impact tests. Treated fiber samples demonstrate higher strength than untreated fiber composites, as shown by the examination of mechanical characteristics. The specimen has a hardness of 59.6Hv, an impact strength of 5.3 J/mm, a compressive strength of 103.25 MPa, a flexural strength of 79.97 MPa, and a highest tensile strength of 80.25 MPa. Specimens that have undergone chemical treatment have a greater water absorption percentage compared to untreated specimens. Vehicles, planes, buildings, athletics and even the home can all benefit from this innovative hybrid composite material.

Keywords

• acacia mangium fiber
• water absorption
• hybrid composites
• teak wood
• mechanical properties