An Experimental and Numerical Investigation into the Durability of Fibre/Polymer Composites with Synthetic and Natural Fibres

Abdalrahman Alajmi; Rajab Abousnina; Abdullah Shalwan; Sultan Alajmi; Golnaz Alipour; Tafsirojjaman Tafsirojjaman; Geoffrey Will

doi:10.3390/polym14102024

Polymers (May 2022)

An Experimental and Numerical Investigation into the Durability of Fibre/Polymer Composites with Synthetic and Natural Fibres

Abdalrahman Alajmi,
Rajab Abousnina,
Abdullah Shalwan,
Sultan Alajmi,
Golnaz Alipour,
Tafsirojjaman Tafsirojjaman,
Geoffrey Will

Affiliations

Abdalrahman Alajmi: School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Rajab Abousnina: School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
Abdullah Shalwan: Department of Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Kuwait City 13092, Kuwait
Sultan Alajmi: Department of Power and Desalination Plants, Ministry of Electricity and Water, Kuwait City 12010, Kuwait
Golnaz Alipour: School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
Tafsirojjaman Tafsirojjaman: Centre for Future Materials (CFM), School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
Geoffrey Will: School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14102024
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 10
p. 2024

Abstract

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Progress in engineering research has shifted the interest from traditional monolithic materials to modern materials such as fibre reinforced composites (FRC). This paradigm shift can be attributed to the unique mechanical characteristics of FRCs such as high strength to weight ratio, good flexural strength, and fracture toughness. At present, synthetic composites dominate the automotive, aerospace, sporting, and construction industries despite serious drawbacks such as costly raw materials, high manufacturing costs, non-recyclability, toxicity, and non-biodegradability. To address these issues, naturally occurring plant fibres (such as jute, hemp, sisal) are being increasingly researched as potential reinforcements for biodegradable or non-biodegradable polymer matrices to produce environmentally friendly composites. In this study, sisal fibres were selected owing to their low production costs, sustainability, recyclability, and biodegradability. The hydrothermal ageing and mechanical characteristics of sisal fibre-reinforced epoxy (SFRE) composites were determined and compared with glass fibre-reinforced epoxy (GFRE) synthetic composites. Moreover, a first-of-its-kind numerical model have been developed to study the hydrothermal ageing and mechanical characteristics of SFRE, along with GFRE, using ANSYS software. Moreover, microstructural analysis of flexural tested GFRE and SFRE samples were carried out to identify the microstructural properties of the composites. Both experimental and numerical results exhibited an influence of short- or long-term hydrothermal treatment on the flexural properties of glass and sisal fibre-based composites. In the case of GFRE, the moisture uptake and fibre-matrix de-bonding existed, but it is less severe as compared to the SFRE composites. It was found that the dosage of sisal fibres largely determines the ultimate mechanical performance of the composite. Nonetheless, the experimental and numerical flexural strengths of SFRE were comparable to GFRE composites. This exhibited that the SFRE composites possess the potentiality as a sustainable material for advanced applications.

Published in Polymers

ISSN: 2073-4360 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/polymers/

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