Investigation of Physical, Mechanical, Tribological and Biodegradable Properties of Hybrid Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite

Abstract

Abstract This study has investigated the effect of natural fibres such as kenaf, coconut, and jute and their combination as reinforced in an epoxy polymer matrix (NFRP) on mechanical properties (impact, flexural, tensile strength, and hardness), thermal stability, tribological properties, and biodegradability. The raw fibres were chemically treated with 3% NaOH for 24 hrs, and 10 wt.% was blended in the epoxy matrix. Further, a composite surface Morphology and fibre dispersion were analysed using a scanning electron microscope. An improvement of 30.39%, 1157.7%, and 30.98% in impact strength, hardness and tensile strength, respectively, compared to pure epoxy composite. Further, the tribological study has shown a lesser frictional coefficient (~ 0.275) in hybrid NFRP than in other composites. Moreover, the mixed NFRP has demonstrated excellent biodegradable properties compared to other NFRP and pure composites.