Publication: Mechanical and hygrothermal ageing behaviours of pultruded kenafglass fiber reinforced hybrid composites
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Date
2020-10-01
Authors
Zakaria, Khairul Zaman
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Abstract
Five types of pultruded reinforced unsaturated polyester composites which is glass fiber reinforced polymer composites (GFRP), kenaf fiber reinforced polymer composites (KFRP), kenaf fiber hybrid with glass fiber roving reinforced polymer composites (HFRP), kenaf fiber with glass fiber chopped strand mat (KFRPO4) and kenaf fiber with glass fiber oriented mat (KFRPO4). GFRP and KFRP play a role as a control sample to make a comparison with hybrid composites. HFRP, KFRPC4, and KFRPO4 were categorized as hybrid composites with different glass fiber configurations. The mechanical testing includes flexural, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and drop weight impact test. Testing was conducted at two environments which is a normal condition and hygrothermal condition to evaluate the durability of pultruded composites. The objective of this study is to determine the performance of hybrid composites which are HFRP, KFRPC4, and KFRPO4 as compared to GFRP and KFRP under normal conditions and hygrothermal conditions. Flexural properties of GFRP exhibit highest strength followed by HFRP, KFRPO4, KFRC4 and KFRP with values 210.3 MPa, 143.1 MPa, 141.0 MPa, 125.3 MPa and 101.0 MPa, respectively. For hygrothermal condition, specimens were immersed in a water bath at 70oC for 1, 4 and 7 days. The presence of moisture is the main factor that reduces the fiber-matrix interface which leads to reduction in mechanical properties. The effect of different fiber glass configuration in KFRPC4 and KFRPO4 were also studied and concluded based on the resulting mechanical properties.