Mechanical evaluation of coir/kenaf/jute laminated hybrid composites designed for geotechnical uses
Natrayan Lakshmaiya
Abstract
The current work attempts to produce as well as analyse organic fibre materials (coir/epoxy, kenaf/epoxy, jute/epoxy) as well as polymer composites (coir/kenaf/epoxy, kenaf/jute/epoxy, and coir/kenaf/jute/epoxy) using a manual approach. These polymers were mechanically tested (tension, bending, shock, and fracture toughness). Among the three hybrids (coir/epoxy, kenaf/epoxy, and jute/epoxy), jute/epoxy composites have the highest hardness (99 Shore-D) but also the highest tensile strength (43 MPa). In contrast, kenaf/epoxy (9.36 MPa) and coir/epoxy (8.47 kJ/m<sup>2</sup>) hybrids have higher bending and impact resistance. The analysis indicates that bio-composites have improved mechanical behavior. The tensile modulus, stiffness, and impact resistance of the coir/kenaf/jute/epoxy-reinforced hybrid were 7.32 MPa, 2.9 GPa, and 8.67 kJ/m<sup>2</sup>, respectively. The greatest elastic modulus of a coir/kenaf/epoxy reinforced composite was 84 MPa.