Effect Of Layering Sequence On Mechanical Properties Of Hybrid Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch/Kenaf Fibre Reinforce Epoxy Composites

• Main Authors: Mustafa, Zaleha, Mansor, Muhd Ridzuan, Jumadi, Muhammad Taufiq, Hadi, Mohamad Amirul Asyraf, Masripan, Nor Azmmi, Ratanawilai, T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Tribology Society 2021
• Online Access: http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/25648/2/JT-29-1-10.PDF; http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/25648/; https://jurnaltribologi.mytribos.org/v29/JT-29-1-10.pdf

This paper presents the characterization on mechanical properties of hybrid oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB)/kenaf reinforced epoxy composites at varying fibre layering sequence. OPEFB and kenaf in the form of short fibre (designated as OPs and Ks) and woven kenaf (Km) were used to form the final hybrid composites. All samples were characterized in accordance with ASTM D3039-14 for tensile test, ASTM D790-10 for flexural test and ASTM D256-10 for impact test. Results obtained revealed that the hybrid composites maximum tensile strength (26.876 MPa), tensile modulus (2.974 GPa), flexural strength (77.911 MPa), impact toughness (1.672 kJ/m2) and impact energy (1.24 J) value was obtained for Km/OPs/Km layering sequence, while the minimum value for all mechanical properties was obtained for OPs/Ks/OPs layering sequence. Moreover, highest value for flexural modulus (3.470 GPa) was obtained for Ks/OPs/Ks layering sequence. In conclusion, layering sequence with more woven kenaf layers improved the final hybrid composites mechanical properties compared to short fibre kenaf due to longer fibre length and fibre orientation. The final hybrid composites mechanical strength is also greatly influenced by the strength of the extreme outer layer fibres within the laminates, as well as the fibre orientation (either woven or randomly oriented).