Study of the Effects of Alkali Treatment and Fiber Orientation on Mechanical Properties of Enset/Sisal Polymer Hybrid Composite

Abstract

In the manufacturing process of innovative fiber-based composite materials, natural fibers are among the most commonly employed reinforcements. In this study, Enset/Sisal (E/S) fiber with a polyester matrix was used to develop the hybrid composites. Hand layup methods were employed for the sample preparation from untreated, 5%, and 10% alkali-treated unidirectional and woven fiber orientations having 50:50 volume ratios. The mechanical properties and water absorption of natural fiber hybrid composites were influenced by fiber treatment and orientation. In the present investigation, the result shows that treated and woven fiber orientation hybrid composites exhibit better mechanical properties than untreated and unidirectional E/S hybrid composites. The 5% NaOH-treated samples have higher tensile and flexural strength properties than the untreated and 10% alkali-treated composites, while the 5% NaOH-treated fiber composites have lower water absorption properties. The tensile and flexural strengths and impacts of 5% NaOH-treated composites were improved by 5.21%, 9.25%, and 5.98%, respectively, over untreated E/S hybrid composites. The morphological properties of the fracture surface of the composite were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).