Mechanical Properties of Kenaf/Fiberglass Polyester Hybrid Composite

AbstractIn a view to reduce the cost of production and the harmful destruction in normal environment, there's a lot of research have been conducted or still ongoing for the possibility of using natural fibers which are wholly degradable in the combination of biodegradable thermoplastic materials. This research will focus on Kenaf; an extremely valuable natural fiber with robust mechanical properties. In this research, kenaf fiber/fiberglass reinforced with unsaturated polyester composites were subjected to water absorption test. Water absorption test were conducted by immersing specimens into three different environmental conditions including sea water, distilled water and rain water (acidic solutions) at room temperature from 1st day until 4th week. The effect of the mechanical strength of the hybrid composties is investigated. In general, the mechanical properties of kenaf fiber are deteriorated after the moisture penetrates into the composite. The strain to failure increases from 1st day until 3rd week followed by a drastically drop at 4th week. The humidity aging is one of the evidence found in SEM micrograph which contributes to the reduction of tensile modulus