The Effect of Different Laminations on Mechanical and Physical Properties of Hybrid Composites

Abstract

The mechanical properties of the vinyl ester reinforced with oil palm of empty fruit bunch fibers (EFB) laminated at different layer arrangements with glass fiber (CSM) composites were investigated. The EFB and CSM fibers were laminated at different layer arrangements and then were impregnated with vinyl ester resin using resin transfer molding (RTM). Post-cure was carried out after cool press for about 24 h in an oven at 50°C. Six different layers of lamination with a ratio of 50/50 fiber composite (50% EFB and 50% CSM) were manufactured. Control fiber composites with 100% mechanical fibers, 100% chemical fibers and 100% glass fibers were investigated for comparison. The mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, and impact test) and physical properties (water absorption, dimension stability, and density) were analyzed. The mechanical properties, water absorption, and density of hybrid composites exhibited higher properties than control composites (chemical and mechanical fibers). While comparing the layers of orientation of hybrid composites, the results of the tensile and flexural tests showed that composites with glass fiber at the outer layer showed higher tensile and flexural properties than the others. The impact test and the composites with natural fibers in the outer layer showed the highest results as compared to other layer laminations. However, hybrid composites exhibited comparable properties as compared to glass fiber composites, alone.