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.

Keywords

• hybrid composite
• indian almond
• kenaf
• mechanical properties
• biodegradation